Inherited risk factors
If you have a family history of bowel cancer, you may be worried about developing it yourself. While some bowel cancers are linked to an inherited genetic condition, it’s important to remember that not all bowel cancer is a result of inherited risk.
People with certain inherited genetic conditions such as Lynch syndrome, FAP (Familial Adenomatous Polyposis) and MAP (MUTYH Associated Polyposis), are at an increased risk of developing bowel cancer, and they are more likely to be younger when diagnosed.
However, if you are diagnosed with one of these genetic conditions, risk-reducing strategies, such as increased screening, means that many of these cancers can be avoided or caught at an early stage.
More about Lynch syndrome
What is Lynch syndrome?

Mo’s Story - Living with Lynch syndrome
After losing his Dad to cancer when he was just 2 years old, Mo Haque was himself diagnosed with bowel cancer at 31 years old. He later found out that his cancer was Lynch-related, Mo shares his bowel cancer story and tells us what it’s like to live with Lynch syndrome.
