What if a family member tests positive for a mutation?
In this case, you can be tested for the same mutation that was found in your relative. If you are tested and found to have the same mutation, you are at increased risk of colorectal cancer and possibly other cancers. If your result is negative, you do not have the increased risk of cancer that your relatives with the altered gene do. You can, however, still develop cancer, and you will still need to be monitored based on your age and personal health history. But you do not have a very high risk of colorectal cancer (and of endometrial cancer, if you are female). Because the mutation does not skip generations, you cannot pass the altered gene on to your children. There are certain exceptions to this. For instance, if you have a strong family history of cancer on both sides of your family (your mom’s side and your dad’s side), it is possible that both sides have a gene alteration. Although you may test negative for the gene mutation from one side of the family, you may still be at increa
