When I was diagnosed with CRC 10 years ago at age 49, no genetic testing was offered because there was no family history of CRC. Fast forward 9 years to my younger sister being diagnosed with breast cancer at age 52. We do have some family history of breast cancer, so my sister did receive genetic testing. She (and subsequently I, too) was found to have a "pathogenic variant in ATM, Deletion (Exons 62-63)". Shortly afterward, I underwent risk reducing surgery to remove ovaries and tubes. Because of extensive adhesions from previous CRC related surgery, my surgeon had to take my uterus as well because the ovaries and tubes were basically fused to the uterus. Turns out to have been potentially life-saving as pathology discovered a small (stage 1a) but aggressive cancer in the uterus. If I had not known about the ATM mutation, that cancer may not have been found until too late.
Mutations of the ATM gene are currently considered to be associated with moderate increases in risk for developing several cancers, including CRC. I'm wondering if there are others here with the same mutation.
I also encourage anyone who has a genetic mutation to consider enrolling in the PROMPT registry at: http://promptstudy.info
According to their web site, "This online research registry for patients and their families helps researchers answer the question: “How do genetic variants affect your cancer risk?”" The founding research institutions are University of Pennsylvania Abramson Cancer Center, Dana Farber Cancer Institute, Mayo Clinic Cancer Center, and Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center. The more information the researchers collect, the more they may be able to understand about and even help guide screening and treatment options.