FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                  Connecticut Department of Public Health

April 20, 2009                                                Contact:  William Gerrish

                                                                       (860) 509-7270

Hartford – The Connecticut Department of Public Health (DPH) today announced a new on-line resource to enhance awareness of colon and rectal (colorectal) cancer risk and genetic testing for hereditary colorectal cancer.

The department’s online resource titled:  “Genetic Evaluation and Testing for Hereditary Colorectal Cancer: What You Should Know,” provides basic cancer facts, risk factors, symptoms of colorectal cancer, where to go for free colorectal cancer screening in Connecticut, links to other helpful web sites, and other useful information.  The resource provides answers to many questions such as:

• How often is colorectal cancer inherited?
• How can I find out if there is a chance that the colorectal cancer in my family is hereditary?
• What specific types of colorectal cancer are inherited?

All cancers involve changes in genes called mutations.  Most cases of colorectal cancer are due to mutations that happen randomly.  However, in some families, the genetic changes may be inherited and passed on from one generation to the next, which are referred to as hereditary cancers.

Two relatively rare hereditary conditions that involve a very high lifetime risk for colorectal cancer are Lynch syndrome, also known as hereditary nonpolyposis colorectal cancer, and familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP).  There are other colorectal cancer syndromes that are known to be hereditary, in addition to these two.  Some are related to the occurrence of multiple polyps, whereas others are associated with conditions such as brain cancer and certain types of skin cancer.

For more information, visit the Department of Public Health website at http://www.ct.gov/dph/, click on “Programs and Services” and go to “Colorectal Cancer.” 

The Connecticut Department of Public Health is the state’s leader in public health policy and advocacy with a mission to protect and promote the health and safety of the people of our state.  To contact the department, please visit its website at www.ct.gov/dph or call (860) 509-7270.