POLE
Associated conditions:
- Colorectal cancer
- Polyposis
POLE builds part of the enzyme that copies DNA and proofreads it for errors. Genetic changes in its proofreading region are associated with an autosomal dominant increased risk of bowel polyps, colorectal cancer, and endometrial tumours, by letting mutations accumulate rapidly. Knowing your genetic status enables early and frequent screening.
Conditions linked to POLE
Colorectal cancer
Colorectal cancer develops in the colon or rectum, usually from polyps that turn cancerous over years. An inherited predisposition raises lifetime risk and shifts it earlier, so it is highly preventable with earlier, more frequent colonoscopy that finds and removes polyps before they progress.
