Assess Lifetime Risk and Plan Earlier Screening
Identify whether you carry gene variants associated with hereditary colorectal cancer, supporting more informed discussion with your doctor about screening timing, follow-up frequency and family risk assessment.
Why Understand Inherited Risk?
Colorectal cancer is one of the common cancers in Hong Kong. On average, 1 in every 20 men and 1 in every 32 women in Hong Kong will develop colorectal cancer in their lifetime. Genetic factors account for an estimated 38% of colorectal cancer risk, and having one close relative with colorectal cancer may increase risk by about three times.
Genetic testing can help identify variants associated with hereditary colorectal cancer and support lifetime risk assessment. Earlier risk awareness may help doctors plan screening timing, frequency and prevention strategies more appropriately.
What the Test Covers
The panel covers 31 genes related to hereditary colorectal cancer, including ADM, APC, BMPR1A, BRCA1, BRCA2, CDH1, CDKN2A, CHEK2, ENG, EPCAM, FOXO3, GREM1, MBD4, MLH1, MSH2, MSH3, MSH6, MUTYH, NTHL1, PMS2, POLD1, POLE, PTEN, PTPN12, RNF43, SLC26A3, SMAD4, SMAD9, SRC, STK11 and TP53.
Results support hereditary risk assessment and are not a cancer diagnosis. They should be interpreted by qualified medical professionals together with personal and family history.
- Purpose: hereditary risk assessment, not a cancer diagnosis
- Analysis: DNA sequencing and variant calling, including SNP and Indel variants
- Accuracy information: DNA sequencing 99.9%; SNP and Indel variant calling >99%
- Results should be interpreted by a qualified medical professional together with personal and family history
Who May Consider Testing?
Close relative with colorectal cancer: especially if a first-degree relative was affected, or several family members have colorectal or related cancers. Family history of polyps or related conditions: such as multiple polyps, younger age at diagnosis, or suspected hereditary colorectal cancer syndrome. Known familial gene variant: if a family member carries a cancer-related variant, testing can assess whether you may carry the same variant.
Common Related High-Risk Syndromes
- Lynch syndrome
- Li-Fraumeni syndrome
- Familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP) and attenuated FAP (AFAP)
- Hereditary MUTYH-associated polyposis (MAP)
- Peutz-Jeghers syndrome, juvenile polyposis syndrome, serrated polyposis syndrome and PTEN hamartoma tumour syndrome
If Results Indicate Higher Risk
- Start colorectal cancer screening earlier.
- Screen more frequently according to medical advice.
- Monitor closely for possible symptoms of colorectal cancer.
- Discuss options that may help reduce risk and build a personalised follow-up plan.
A detected colorectal cancer-related gene variant does not mean you will definitely develop colorectal cancer, but your lifetime risk may be higher than average. Screening and follow-up should be personalised by your doctor.
Enquire or Book
If you have a family history of colorectal cancer, a close relative affected by colorectal cancer, or would like to understand whether hereditary risk assessment is appropriate for you, contact the Well Clinic team.
Contact Us
WhatsApp / WeChat: +852 5292 0089
Address: Room B, 24/F, Lee Tung Building, 9 Li Yuen Street East, Central, Hong Kong