Randall W. Burt, MD

Medical Director

The Familial Colon Cancer Study (FCCS) is a research-based service that studies the genetic causes and inheritance patterns of familial colon polyps and colorectal cancer. It also serves as an educational and clinical resource for individuals and their families who are at increased risk of developing colon polyps and colorectal cancer.

This study includes the collection of family and medical history information, blood sampling, genetic counseling, patient education, colorectal cancer screening (colonoscopy), and individualized cancer screening recommendations.

Family Risk and Colorectal Cancer

In the United States, the lifetime risk for both men and women developing colorectal cancer is approximately 6%—one in every 17 people. Most colorectal cancers occur in people older than 50 years. Having a close relative with colorectal cancer or certain colon polyps may increase your chance of developing colorectal cancer. Having more than one close relative with colorectal cancer, or a close relative who developed colorectal cancer before the age of 50, further increases the risk.

When multiple colorectal cancers occur in a family, genetic factors may be responsible. Most of these genetic factors are not currently understood. Doctors recommend special screening (colonoscopy) to prevent or detect cancers in such families.

Research Goals

Our goal at Huntsman Cancer Institute is to find undiscovered genes that would help explain colorectal cancer in families where there is a strong history and known causes have been excluded. Much of what we know about colorectal cancer genetics has come from research on rare inherited colorectal cancers. Information about common inherited risk has come from family studies. Increased knowledge has led to improvements in colorectal cancer prevention in these families and in the population in general.

The discovery of new genes may further improve colorectal cancer detection and prevention for everyone. The Familial Colon Cancer Study investigates families with colorectal cancer to identify new genes that cause colon polyps and colorectal cancer and how environmental factors interact with these genes.

Participating in Research

The Familial Colon Cancer Study investigates large families with a significant history of colorectal cancer of unknown cause. Many of the research families came to us through the Utah Population Database (UPDB), which allows us to link together large families and analyze the inheritance patterns of colorectal and potentially related cancers. Research eligible families are sometimes referred through our regular fee-for-service clinic (Family Cancer Assessment Clinic) when known causes for polyps and colorectal cancer in the family cannot be identified.

If you would like clinical recommendations and care from specialists that work with families with cancer, please see the Family Cancer Assessment Clinic website or contact the Family Cancer Assessment Clinic at (801) 587-9555.

If you have an inherited colorectal cancer syndrome, or have had cancer diagnosed before age 50, you may be eligible to enroll in the Familial Colon Cancer Registry, an education resource that will refer you to other appropriate research studies. Please call (801) 581-1936 for more information.

For more information:

Familial Colon Cancer Study
Huntsman Cancer Institute
2000 Circle of Hope
Room 4126
Salt Lake City, UT 84112-5550
Local: (801) 581-8405
Toll free: (800) 650-9071
Fax: (801) 585-5763