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Colon Cancer The Family Connection

The general population may not be familiar with the term Familial Adenomatous Polyposis (FAP), but for those with a history of colon cancer in their families, the search for the symptoms of this genetic mutation is a routine part of any medical review.

People with the classic form of FAP may begin to develop multiple benign polyps in the colon as early as their teenage years hundreds or thousands of these growths is not uncommon in persons with FAP. Removal of at least part of the colon is necessary in such a circumstance, as these same polyps will eventually become malignant. If only a partial colectemy is performed, regular surveillance of the remaining portion of the colon is necessary as the individual still carries significant risk of developing colon cancer.

Why does a person with FAP require such close monitoring? The average age at which patients with FAP are diagnosed with colon cancer is thirty-nine. Without any treatment, a person with FAP will, with absolute certainty, eventually develop cancer.

Unfortunately, there is little to indicate the presence of FAP until the polyps develop. Often times, these polyps first make themselves known by bleeding and this blood is then found in the afflicted person's stool. Another tell-tale sign is anemia, as the development of polyps leads to an iron deficiency. The best defense that a patient has is to be aware of her family history, as 75 to 80 percent of people with FAP have multiple family members who were diagnosed with polyps and/or colorectal cancer at age forty years or younger.

There is one available preemptive measure that can be taken if FAP does run in your family. Genetic testing can be done as early as infancy to determine if the mutated gene is present. Parents who are considering this option for their children must be aware of a possible pitfall. If a child is tested and the results are positive, obtaining medical insurance becomes a difficult proposition. This consequence must be weighed against the peace of mind that comes with knowing that your child is free from the medical problems that FAP brings.

In Living to Tell About It, A Pursuit of Normalcy, Amy Martin shares her personal story as someone afflicted with familial adenomatous polyposis. Ms. Martin lost her mother to colon cancer at a relatively young age and she underwent first a partial, and then a full, colectomy to avoid the same fate. Upon reading the first page of Ms. Martin's book, you realize that FAP is far from her only medical hurdle. The author also had a stroke as a college student, a severe car accident that required extensive rehabilitative therapy, Graves' disease and gallbladder surgery. It's an amazing story that provides hope for anyone struggling through life's many challenges.

Living to Tell About It is the first book written by Amy Martin. It can be purchased through Amazon.com, BarnesandNoble.com and at www.lulu.com.

Learn more about this author, Yvonne Perry.
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