Genetic tests can help determine if members of certain families have inherited a high risk for
developing colorectal cancer due to syndromes such as familial adenomatous polyposis
(FAP) or hereditary non-polyposis colorectal cancer (HNPCC). Without genetic testing, all
members of a family known to have an inherited form of colorectal cancer should start
screening at an early age, and get screened frequently. If genetic testing is done for a known
mutation within a family, those members who are found not to have the mutated gene may be
able to be screened at the same age and frequency as people at average risk.