Do you have this colon cancer risk?

Colorectal cancer occurs when the cells of the lining of the large intestine have changed, growing in an out-of-control fashion. During a colonoscopy, a fiber-optic scope inserted into the colon inspects its lining for the presence of adenomatous polyps, growths that can lead to cancer if left intact.

Some folks who have colon polyps also may have hereditary nonpolyposis colorectal cancer, or Lynch syndrome. This rare, inherited disorder increases a person's risk of developing colon cancer as well as endometrial, ovarian and other cancers.

If one parent has Lynch syndrome, there's a 50% chance you'll inherit that gene mutation. And if both parents have it, the odds increase to 80%.

If you've had colon polyps removed or if you have a family history of colon cancer, ask your doctor about Lynch syndrome.