Final answer:
Hereditary Nonpolyposis Colon Cancer (HNPCC), also known as Lynch Syndrome, is a genetic condition that increases the risk of developing colonic adenocarcinomas (colon cancer) at a young age (<50), as well as endometrial/ovarian cancer. The cause of HNPCC is mutations in certain genes involved in DNA repair, such as MLH1, MSH2, MSH6, and PMS2.
Step-by-step explanation:
Hereditary Nonpolyposis Colon Cancer (HNPCC), also known as Lynch Syndrome, is a genetic condition that increases the risk of developing colonic adenocarcinomas (colon cancer) at a young age (<50), as well as endometrial/ovarian cancer. The cause of HNPCC is mutations in certain genes involved in DNA repair, such as MLH1, MSH2, MSH6, and PMS2. These mutations are inherited from a person's parents and can be detected through genetic testing.