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

Fight those Cougars!

Colon, ovarian, uterine, gastric, renal, and skin cancer. All Lynch syndrome related cancers, and all significantly increased in families with Lynch syndrome mutations. Brain and small bowel cancer risks are also higher.

In addition, new evidence finds that pancreatic and breast cancer are also part of Lynch syndrome.

Today, people living with Lynch syndrome come together with researchers, genetic counselors, and healthcare professionals to spread the word that Lynch syndrome can be managed. But first it needs to be recognized.

Awareness saves lives.

Careful family histories and routine testing after surgery can identify people who have one of the genes that cause Lynch syndrome. When you find one affected person, you can also find family members who also carry the gene. Read the rest of this entry »

45,000 women were diagnosed with endometrial cancer in the United States in 2010 — and for nearly 900, cancer was due to Lynch syndrome.

Women who have Lynch syndrome have an increased risk of getting endometrial cancer during their lifetime that is as high as 60 percent. Often endometrial cancer (cancer of the lining of the uterus) is the first Lynch-related cancer diagnosed, earlier than colon or rectal cancer.

Identifying a mutation in these women can prevent future colorectal cancers and discover ovarian, gastric, and other Lynch cancers early when they can be treated successfully.

And not only does this help the woman with endometrial cancer, it helps her family as well if they are tested for the inherited mutation and take steps to reduce their risk of future cancers. Read the rest of this entry »

Screening all new colon and rectal cancer tumors for markers that might indicate Lynch syndrome not only saves future lives, it is cost effective according to a new study.

In order for tumor screening to be cost-effective, not only should new tumors be tested, but family members need to follow through with genetic testing after a new Lynch mutation is found.  Finally people with Lynch syndrome mutations need to follow surveillance guidelines to prevent cancer or find it early,

Testing both tumors and at least three to four family members could cost as little of $36,000 per life year saved — well within the value of preventive health strategies. Read the rest of this entry »

Digestive Disease Week 2011 Update

Finding colorectal cancer patients with Lynch syndrome helps both patients and their families to prevent cancer.

Lynch patients are at high risk for a second or third colon cancer, so identifying them before their colorectal surgery may change the operation planned.  Surgeons may want to remove the entire colon to prevent another colon cancer, and women may choose to have a hysterectomy during the same surgery to prevent endometrial cancer.

Because young patients are more likely to have Lynch syndrome, pathologists at the Mayo Clinic tested tumors from patients 50 years old or younger for microsatellite instability (MSI) after their surgery if they had not been tested preoperatively. Read the rest of this entry »