Be aware of the RED FLAGS!

Lynch syndrome and inherited polyposis syndromes are caused by genetic mutations that run in families and can increase your lifetime chance of getting colorectal cancer to 80% or higher.

Were you or a family member…

• Diagnosed with colon or rectal cancer before 50
• Diagnosed with uterine/endometrial cancer before 50
• Have had 10 or more colon polyps over a lifetime
• Two or more same-side family members diagnosed with colon, rectal or other Lynch-related cancers at any age (brain, breast, biliary tract, kidney, melanoma, ovarian, pancreas, small bowel, stomach, or uterine/endometrial)

Dig up your family’s cancer history. If you or your biological relatives meet any of the above criteria, you may be at high risk for colorectal cancer and could benefit from a cancer genetics evaluation. Talk to your doctor or call our toll-free Answer Line at 877-427-2111.

Use family gatherings as an opportunity to talk about your health history

These free downloadable documents will help you get started.

• 5 Questions to Ask Your Family
• Is Cancer Lurking in Your Family Tree?
• Lynch Syndrome: All in the Family

• Webinar recording: “Talking Turkey About Lynch Syndrome,” featuring patient Brian Mansfield, his doctor Bill Harb and genetics expert Heather Hampel
• The Hereditary Cancer Quiz by Myriad Genetics
• National Institutes of Health
• American Society of Clinical Oncology
• FamilyPLZ
• Webinar recording: “Does Colorectal Cancer Run in Your Family,” featuring Dr. Henry Lynch and the late Kate Murphy

Miss last week’s webinar?  It’s right here.

Listen to Dr. Henry Lynch talk about his early experience with families with unusually high numbers of colorectal and other cancers.  Hear what he has to say about finding families at risk and preventing cancer deaths.

Lynch syndrome survivor, Kate Murphy, shares her own story and that of her family.

Read the rest of this entry »

Keeping Track of Family Health History

Today while you’re digesting turkey or washing the Thanksgiving dinner dishes, take time to talk about your family’s health history.  Steven K. Galson, M.D., M.P.H., the acting Surgeon General, has declared Thanksgiving 2008 the fifth annual National Family History Day.

Families are encouraged to share health information to identify diseases that might be inherited or lifestyles that may contribute to medical problems.  Family histories can lead to a discussion with your doctor about tests you may need or changes you should make to prevent cancer and other diseases.

My Family Health History, a tool developed by the Surgeon General, can help you make a drawing of your family tree and a chart of your family’s health history.  They both can be printed out and shared with others in your family and with your doctor. Read the rest of this entry »

single nucleotide polymorphism

People with a variation in the gene that controls how fat is metabolized by cells have a lowered chance of getting colorectal cancer, even in families with already increased risk.

Scientists studied differences in short regions of the ADIPOQ gene called single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) among patients with colorectal cancer and a similar group of people who didn’t have cancer. In two different study groups, they found that one variation reduced risk of getting cancer by about 30 percent. Read the rest of this entry »

A new study finds colorectal cancer patients with Lynch syndrome (hereditary non-polyposis colon cancer or HNPCC) have better survival than patients without the inherited form of the disease.  Overall, 94 percent of Lynch syndrome patients were alive five years after their diagnosis compared to 75 percent of those with sporadic cancer. Read the rest of this entry »