Physicians have long valued the ability to predict die future. Hippocrates suggested that physicians be judged, in part, on the basis of this ability. As our clinical armamentarium has grown, some would argue that the physician's ability to "see the future" is even more valuable. Specifically, knowledge of risk for future disease allows us the opportunity to reduce that risk by interrupting its natural course.Colorectal cancer (CRC) is an obvious target for such preventive intervention. The disease is common and potentially deadly; thus, affecting die course of even a small percentage of patients destined for CRC may translate into significant benefit. Furthermore, CRC takes years to develop and allows physicians the opportunity to identify early neoplasia (in the form of polyps) and remove it entirely before it can put a patient at risk of death.
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