A 35-year-old client is diagnosed with familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP).He says,"My mom died from colon cancer and I don't want to have the same thing happen to me." What should the nurse consider in formulating a response to this statement?

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Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP) is an autosomal dominant genetic disorder that results in the formation of hundreds to thousands of adenomatous polyps in the colon and rectum. If left untreated, individuals with FAP have a lifetime risk of colorectal cancer that exceeds 75%. Therefore, the nurse should consider this information when responding to the client's statement. Testing to identify if the disease is genetic or environmental may be done, but the client has already mentioned that their mother had colon cancer, indicating a possible genetic component. Assuming that cancer is years in the future because the client is still young is not an appropriate response, as FAP is a high-risk condition that requires close monitoring and interventions. Treatment for clients with FAP varies and may include surgery, surveillance colonoscopies, and chemopreventive agents, but there is no evidence to support chemotherapeutic drugs as the primary treatment for clients with FAP.

A 35-Year-Old Client Is Diagnosed with Familial Adenomatous Polyposis (FAP)