The Family History of Bowel Cancer Clinic

A Hereditary Colorectal Cancer Clinic

Think you have a strong family history of bowel cancer?

Do you know if anyone in your family has had bowel (also known as colorectal) cancer or any other kind of cancer? Talk to your family and make sure you all know your family history.   This would for example be particularly important for those people with a history of bowel cancer diagnosis under age 50 years, or with 2 people in their family affected with bowel cancer.

If you think you have a strong family history of bowel cancer, you should make an appointment with your GP to talk about your concerns. If your GP agrees with you, they can refer you to a specialist family history of bowel cancer clinic at West Middlesex University Hospital. The specialist will go through your family history with you in great detail and ask you to provide accurate information about who has been affected, how old they were when they were diagnosed, and the site where their cancer developed. You may also have to have blood tests as part of this investigation.

You will talk about what types of screening they would recommend, at what age you (and/or other family members) should start being screened and how often you should be screened. Regular screening will ensure that any signs of bowel changes and early cancer are spotted and treated quickly.  You can also discuss other ways to reduce your risk through your lifestyle.

Who we are

Dr Kevin Monahan (Service lead) spent 3 years working at Cancer Research UK where I completed my PhD in cancer genetics with funding from the Bobby Moore Fund for Bowel Cancer Research.  I worked in the Family Cancer Clinic at St Mark’s Hospital in Harrow during this time. I work with Dr Iain Beveridge, Dr Carole Collins, Dr Joel Mawdsley and Dr Krishna Sundaram in the Gastroenterology Department at West Middlesex University Hospital.
Athalie Melville is a Genetic Counsellor from the North West Thames Regional Genetics Service.  She also sees patient before they have genetic testing.

The other members of the team are from the Departments of Gastroenterology, Endoscopy, Colorectal Surgery and Cancer Services at West Middlesex University Hospital.

Related articles

• Lynch Syndrome (familyhistorybowelcancer.wordpress.com)
• Polyposis (familyhistorybowelcancer.wordpress.com)
• Lifestyle and Reducing your Risk (familyhistorybowelcancer.wordpress.com)
• The Family History of Bowel Cancer Registry (familyhistorybowelcancer.wordpress.com)
• A dedicated service for the Management of Hereditary Colorectal Cancer Improves Adherence with Molecular Testing for Lynch Syndrome (familyhistorybowelcancer.wordpress.com)