Family History of Colorectal Cancer (CRC)

This condition is treated in the Gastroenterology clinic.

Pre-referral work-up

History

All referrals should comply with referral standards and specifically include:

• Initial work up
• Family history of cancer including:
  • Details of the family members relationship to patient and family members age at diagnosis of colorectal cancer (CRC) or polyps.
  • Any family history of uterine, ovarian, gastric or small intestinal tumour.
• If previous colonoscopy, please detail last colonoscopy report and histology. If possible or date and site of examination.
• History of cardiovascular disease, renal disease, liver disease, diabetes
• Medication especially anticoagulants and reason for prescription, iron supplements, NSAIDs, steroids and hypoglycaemic agents.
• Pathology results, Essential: FBE, Iron studies and consider B12
• BMI (or height & weight)

Interim/GP management

To refer a patient with this condition, please see the Gastroenterology clinic page for the full referral process and templates.

All patients referred for surveillance colonoscopies after removal of polyps or for family history are triaged according to the following guidelines:

• Family history
• Surveillance of colonic polyps
• Bowel cancer

Note: Referrals of asymptomatic patients deemed not to meet guidelines will be returned to the referrer.

DO NOT REFER

• Asymptomatic individuals with no family history of colorectal cancer
  (Yearly FOBT recommended in average risk patients over 50 years of age)
• Asymptomatic individuals with a single family member affected at over 55 years of age (as per NHMRC guidelines). Yearly FOBT as above

For more information please see the HealthPathways Tasmania website.

GESA Guideline: Bowel Cancer - Early Detection, Screening and Surveillance (2011)

Clinic appointments

🚩 Red location flags are clinical indicators of possible serious underlying conditions requiring further medical intervention. They may or may not indicate an emergency.

Routine (Category 3)

Possible Hereditary Non-Polyposis Colon Cancer Syndrome (or Familial Polyposis)

Multiple relatives with colorectal cancer, other GI cancer or uterine cancer and at least one relative with age of onset of cancer under 50 years of age

• Refer at 25 years of age for consideration of screening

Other family history of colorectal cancer

• Refer at 50 years of age or 10 years of age earlier than the age at which the youngest first degree relative was diagnosed with CRC, whichever comes first
• Two first degree relatives or second degree relatives on same side of family

Next available appointment

Availability

North

Launceston General Hospital
Level 3 - Specialist Clinics

Phone: 1300 977 694
Fax: 03 6777 5227

North West

All North West referrals are managed via Mersey Community Hospital
Phone: 03 6478 5222
Fax: 03 6441 5942

South

Wellington Clinics (Level 10)
Phone: 03 6166 0000
Fax: 03 6234 3982