Thomas Jefferson Opens New Familial Colorectal Cancer Registry

PHILADELPHIA—Thomas Jefferson University’s new Familial Colorectal Cancer Registry is collecting information and blood and tissue samples from families with a higher-than-normal risk of colon cancer, to aid researchers looking for genetic markers of the disease and to provide genetic counseling and genetic testing, if appropriate, to participants.

To date, 35 members of 24 families have been enrolled. Operations director Deborah Rose said she expects to have hundreds of new registry members in the next year.

Typically, a patient is referred to the registry by a physician, family member, or self-referral. To participate, patients may have either a personal or family history of a particular type of inherited colorectal cancer, such as familial adenomatous polyposis or hereditary nonpolyposis colorectal cancer.

Others who are eligible include those who have had colorectal cancer diagnosed before age 30 and patients with a first-degree relative diagnosed with colorectal cancer before age 50.

For more information about the registry and clinical genetic testing, patients and physicians may call 1-800-JEFF-NOW (1-800-533-3669).