Challenges With Colorectal Cancer Family History Assessment —Motivation to Translate Polygenic Risk Scores Into Practice

In this issue of Gastroenterology, Kastrinos et  al,1 detailed the importance of family history of colorectal cancer (CRC) for risk-based screening recommendations. Assessment of CRC family history can be used to recommend early initiation of CRC screening, increased colonoscopy surveillance, and genetic testing for CRC hereditary syndromes, suc h as Lynch Syndrome and Familial Adenomatous Polyposis. However, the length of time and expertise that it takes to complete comprehensive family history assessments coupled with the lack of provider reimbursement for documenting family history has contributed to many primary care providers failing t o ascertain patient family history information for important familial conditions, including CRC.

Source: Gastroenterology - October 31, 2019 Category: Gastroenterology Authors: Andrea N. Burnett-Hartman, Polly A. Newcomb, Ulrike Peters Tags: Editorial Source Type: research