Does anyone know how hereditary colon cancer is? If there are no cases in a person's family, should they worry? My friend had blood in the fecal blood test 6 months ago. The Veterans Administration is his only health insurance. He had to go on a waiting list for 6 months for a colonoscopy. Tomorrow is the day. He is 57. Couldn't the blood be from somewhere else, like his stomach? He drinks beer and smokes. Thanks for any comments.

Bleeding from the rectum doesn't always mean cancer. There are many other possibilies: hemorrhoids, diverticulitis, inflammation, ulcer, colitis, crohn's, etc. Most people that get colon cancer have no known family history, so it is always wise to check out any rectal bleeding. And, yes, colon cancer is also hereditary. If there is a family history, the chances of getting cancer and precancerous polyps is greatly increased. My father, grandfather, and great grandfather all had colon cancer.

i have no family history of polyps or colon cancer and i have had several polyps plus a pre-cancerous polyp removed! it started at age24 am now 30!
good luck to all i will pray for all also!