What is the ideal age to get screened for colorectal cancer, when a first-degree relative is diagnosed with it?

Question

Hello doctor,

I am a 62-year-old single female. I conceived my 22-year-old son through donor insemination. Last year, I learned that his biological father had passed away at 48 due to colon cancer. When should I have my son screened? I prefer to have him evaluated sooner than later.

Kindly suggest.

Answer 1

Hello,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

I understand your concern. According to the guidelines, any individual with a first-degree relative (biological father in your son's case) with colorectal cancer, called the index case, the person in question should have a screening colonoscopy ten years earlier than the age of diagnosis of colon cancer in the index case. I would like to know at which age was his biological father diagnosed with colon cancer? The age of diagnosis and death due to cancer are usually not the same. In that case, considering the age at diagnosis of cancer is 45, your son should have a screening colonoscopy at the age of 35 years.

I hope this helps.

Kindly revert in case of further questions.

Thank you.