Lindex #2707

Lippe SD

Ashkenazi Jews and Colon Cancer

American Journal of Gasetroentrology

1999 94(10):3085

The overwhelming majority of the nearly 6 million Jews in the United States are of Ashkenazi descent. These Jews originated in Israel and migrated to parts of Europe.

APC mutations are found in 6.1% of American Jews and 28% of Ashkenazi Jews with a family history of colorectal cancer. It can be asserted that the average Ashkenazi Jew in America is at a higher than average risk for CRC, based on the increased incidence of inflammatory bowel disease in the Jewish population.

Consequently, it would be important for physicians to identify patients of Ashkenazi Jewish descent and plan a reasonable screening strategy for CRC. This plan should include an initial screening colonoscopy for complete colon evaluation beginning by age 50.