NCCN increases the emphasis on genetic/familial high-risk assessment in colorectal cancer.

NCCN has developed new guidelines for the assessment of high-risk familial/genetic colorectal cancer, and has positioned these recommendations within the guidelines for detection, prevention, and risk reduction. The Panel recommends that all patients with colorectal cancer be screened for Lynch syndrome, which occurs in 1 of every 35 patients and is the most common form of hereditary colorectal cancer. Such screening could be universal so that all tumors are genetically tested, or screening could be restricted to patients under the age of 70 and those aged 70 and older who meet clinical criteria.