Abstract
Introduction. Colorectal cancer is important medical problem due to frequent occurrence and serious prognosis. Recent advances help to understand the role of heredity of colorectal carcinogenesis with possible implications for prevention. Aim of the Study. Is to characterise hereditary colorectal cancer by population screening in order to evaluate the needs and possibilities of prevention. Materials and methods. Population screening was performed in Valka district, evaluating the family cancer history by questionnaire. Hereditary colorectal cancer syndromes were diagnosed by internationally accepted clinical criteria. Results. The following population frequencies were identified: hereditary non-polyposis colorectal cancer (HNPCC), 0.059% (95% CI = 0.033-0.106%); suspected HNPCC and familial colorectal cancer, 0.107% (95% CI = 0.069-0.166%). The cancer burden among blood relatives of the affected families ranged 15.5-30.1%. The mean age of colorectal cancer diagnostics was 53.7-72.0 years. The probands were mostly oncologically healthy and up to 81.8% - below 50 years of age. Conclusions. The population frequencies of hereditary colorectal cancer syndromes correspond to significant number of cases. The high cancer burden among blood relatives of the affected families necessitates surveillance, and the age structure and health status of probands is well-suited for this.