Does Bowel Cancer Run in Your Family? Understanding Your Inherited Risk.
If you have a family history of bowel cancer, it’s natural to worry about your own health. You might be wondering, “What does this mean for me?” and “Is there anything I can do?”
The good news is that knowledge is power. Understanding if you have an inherited risk can help you take control of your health and create a personalised plan to protect yourself and your family.
What is Inherited Cancer Risk?
Our genes can act like an instruction manual for our bodies. A change (or ‘mutation’) in one of these genes can be passed down through a family. Some genes are vital in keeping our cells healthy, when you inherit a ‘mutation’ in one of these genes cells can turn into cancer cells more easily. This can increase your risk of cancer, which type depends on which gene has a mutation.
One of the most common genetic conditions linked to inherited bowel cancer is called Lynch syndrome. It doesn’t mean you will definitely get cancer, but it does mean you have a higher risk than the average person. Finding out if you have a condition like Lynch syndrome is the first step towards proactive health management.
Lynch syndrome and other genes, such as APC can explain about 35% of cases of early-onset colorectal cancer. These are cancers starting at a young age, under 50 years of age.
❓ How Can Knowing Your Genetic Risk Help?
Finding out you have an increased risk can feel daunting, but it’s important to remember that this information allows you to take positive steps to manage that risk.
- Create a Personalised Screening Plan: You and your doctor can create a plan that’s right for you. This might mean starting screenings like colonoscopies earlier and having them more often, which is one of the best ways to catch any problems early.
- Take Preventative Steps: There are proven ways to lower your risk. For some people with Lynch syndrome, taking a daily low-dose aspirin can significantly reduce the chance of developing bowel cancer.
- Protect Your Family: If you are found to have an inherited risk, your close relatives (like your children, brothers, and sisters) can get tested too. This information can help protect the people you love.
- Empower Your Future: Knowing your genetic makeup puts you in the driver’s seat of your health, allowing you to make informed decisions for a healthier future
James's Story
Meet James, a 45-year-old whose father had bowel cancer. He was worried about his own chances of getting it.
James decided to take our at-home inherited cancer risk test. The results showed he had Lynch syndrome, the same condition that likely affected his family members.
While the news was a lot to take in at first, it empowered James to take action:
- A Clear Plan: James and his doctor set up a plan for regular colonoscopies to catch any issues as early as possible. He is now entitled to screening every 2 years through the NHS programme.
- Active Prevention: He started taking a daily aspirin, this can reduce his bowel cancer risk by around 50%.
- Family First: James shared the news with his sister, who got tested and found she also had Lynch syndrome. She immediately started her own screening program.
Today, James feels in control. He knows his risks and has a clear, proactive plan to stay healthy for himself and his family.
🧐 Who Should Get Genetic Testing for Inherited Bowel Cancer?
At Coyne Medical we offer testing for everyone. We use genetic screening to find inherited cancer risks so that every patient can have the most accurate personalised cancer prevention and early detection.
If you have any of the risk factors below then genetic screening is strongly recommended.
- A personal or family history of bowel cancer, especially before age 50.
- Multiple cases of bowel cancer in close relatives.
- Family history of Lynch syndrome-related cancers. Lynch syndrome can be linked to other cancers beyond the bowel, so if multiple relatives have experienced these cancers it may be a warning of a Lynch syndrome mutation.
- endometrial (womb), ovarian, upper gastro-intestinal including pancreatic, gastric (stomach), small bowel and bile duct, urinary tract including renal (kidney) or brain.
- A known mutation in the family (e.g. Lynch syndrome, APC).
- Multiple polyps of the colon, especially people with 10 or more.
The NHS only offers genetic testing for high-risk individuals. If you would like to check if you are eligible then speak to your NHS GP, you can read more about the NHS criteria here.
Currently in the UK, over 95% of people with Lynch Syndrome are undiagnosed. They are missing out on prevention and early diagnosis. We are on a mission to change that.
How The At-Home Inherited Cancer Risk Test Works
01
Book a video consultation with a doctor
Start with a personalised video appointment to discuss your family history, cancer risk, and what the test involves.
02
Receive your saliva kit at home
We’ll send your test kit directly to your door; no blood, no needles, just spit and send.
03
Test for 30+ cancer-related genes
Including BRCA1, BRCA2, PALB2, CHEK2, and many more. We detect inherited risk for breast, ovarian, prostate, bowel, and other cancers.
04
Get your results and a free follow-up with your doctor
We’ll explain exactly what your results mean and help you create a plan for next steps, including prevention or further screening.
Is This Test Right for You?
If you’re worried about your family history of bowel cancer, our at-home test is a simple, confidential way to get answers. It’s a straightforward saliva test that you can do from the comfort of your own home.
The results will provide you and your doctor with the information you need to make the best decisions for your health. Taking the first step can feel big, but it’s a positive move towards peace of mind and a healthier tomorrow.
My Story, and Why This is So Important to Me
This service exists because I’ve been on a similar journey to the one you might be starting now.
A few years ago, while researching the very tests we now offer, I decided to take one myself. The results were life-changing: I discovered I have a mutation in my PALB2 gene, which increases my risk of developing certain cancers.
I understand the wave of emotions that can come with that kind of news. But what I felt most strongly was a sense of clarity and empowerment. For the first time, I had an answer that helped explain my family’s history, and more importantly, I had a clear path forward. The knowledge gave me access to a personalised screening plan and allowed me to take proactive steps to protect my health.
That personal journey from uncertainty to action is the reason I founded this service. I know the anxiety of not knowing, and I know the power that comes from having clear, actionable information. My mission is to make this vital testing more accessible, so that more people and their families can have the same opportunity to take control of their future health.
Dr Lucy Hooper, Co-Founder Coyne Medical Ltd
Your Journey to Peace of Mind Starts Here
Move from uncertainty to empowerment. Get the actionable information you and your doctor need to build a personalised health plan for your future.
🤝 More Support & Resources
If you have concerns about bowel cancer, these support groups and resources can provide guidance and community:
- Lynch Syndrome UK: A brilliant group started by patients in 2014, provide information, support and advocate for improvements in care.
- Lynch Choices: Support for patients from testing to diagnosis, information on screening and preventative therapies.
- A beginner’s guide to Lynch Syndrome: Excellent detailed information from Royal Marsden Hospital.
- PolyposisPatient: Patient support group for all those with polyposis syndromes.
- Bowel Cancer UK: Support and information online and by phone.