Cancer of the colon and rectum (colorectal cancer) is the second most common causes of fatal cancer.  Close to 20,000 Canadians are diagnosed with the condition each year. If identified early enough, this type of cancer is curable.

Some 3-5% of all colorectal cancers occur in persons with the hereditary condition known as Hereditary Non-polyposis Colorectal Cancer (HNPCC) of Lynch Syndrome. Recent developments have shown that mutations in either of two genes, the MLH1 and MLH2 are responsible for this syndrome.

Patients with these mutations have an 80% chance of developing colorectal cancer.  The presence of these mutations also causes a 40% risk of endometrial cancer in women and an increased risk of other cancers (gastric, ovarian).

The evaluation of these genes is now available as the Colaris test developed and performed by Myriad Genetics Inc. of Salt Lake City.

Potential candidates for the Colaris procedure are persons with a family history of colorectal cancer and persons with multiple colon polyps.  A person found to have an abnormal Colaris test will be advised to have frequent endoscopy examinations and removal of suspicious polyps.

Information on how to obtain the Colaris test is available by telephone at 1-800-441-0987.