Image of colorectal cancer research in the Colon Cancer Family Registry at Mayo Clinic. International collaboration

The Colon Cancer Family Registry serves as a resource to support studies on the etiology, prevention and clinical management of colorectal cancer.

Overview

The Colon Cancer Family Registry at Mayo Clinic is part of an international research consortium for investigators who conduct population-based and clinic-based interdisciplinary studies on the genetic and molecular epidemiology of colorectal cancer and its behavioral implications.

A central goal of the Colon Cancer Family Registry is the translation of colorectal cancer research to the clinical setting for the benefit of registry participants and the public. Our researchers identify colorectal cancer susceptibility genes, analyze gene interactions to understand the etiology of colorectal cancer, conduct ongoing molecular characterization of participants, and translate research findings into better colorectal cancer prevention and treatment.

The Colon Cancer Family Registry has information and biospecimens contributed by more than 15,000 families across the spectrum of risk for colorectal cancer and from population-based controls or relative controls.

The Colon Cancer Family Registry collects detailed information about study participants and their relatives to help create a resource that can be leveraged by colorectal cancer researchers around the world.

Directors

The principal investigator of the Colon Cancer Family Registry is Rish K. Pai, M.D., Ph.D. The co-investigator is Niloy Jewel (Jewel) J. Samadder, M.D.

Dr. Pai is a pathologist at Mayo Clinic in Phoenix, Arizona, with an interest in gastrointestinal pathology and hepatobiliary pathology. Dr. Pai is also a professor of laboratory medicine and pathology at Mayo Clinic College of Medicine and Science.

Dr. Samadder is a gastroenterologist at Mayo Clinic in Phoenix, Arizona, whose research focuses on the role of genetics in cancer development, prevention and therapy, and the care of patients with hereditary cancer syndromes. Dr. Samadder also is a professor of medicine at Mayo Clinic College of Medicine and Science.

Noralane M. Lindor, M.D. is the previous principal investigator of the registry. Dr. Lindor is now an emeritus professor at Mayo Clinic College of Medicine and Science in Phoenix, Arizona, but remains engaged with the Colon Cancer Family Registry.