Dr Kevin Monahan explains the importance of providing Lynch syndrome surveillance through the NHS England Screening Programme

What will this mean for people with Lynch syndrome? 

For bowel cancer, survival is strongly related to stage at diagnosis: 9 in 10 people will survive if diagnosed at the earliest stage, because they’re more likely to be offered curative treatment. However, treatment is less effective and therefore survival is lower as the disease progresses.  

The new national Lynch syndrome colonoscopy programme will be delivered by the national Bowel Cancer Screening Programme. This will have a transformative effect on the care of people with Lynch, improving their experience as well as the prevention and early diagnosis of bowel cancer. It’s estimated 300 lives could be saved every year if diagnosis and optimal care for Lynch syndrome are offered in England.  

The change to the surveillance programme will ensure:  

• you’re invited for colonoscopic surveillance, on time, every two years 
• you’re seen by a specialist team and have a high-quality test performed by an expert colonoscopist 
• a consistent approach across England with equal access for people with Lynch syndrome 

Moving the Lynch surveillance within the national screening programme is the first screening programme of its kind in the world.

https://www.bowelcanceruk.org.uk/news-and-blogs/research-blog/dr-kevin-monahan-explains-the-importance-of-lynch-syndrome-surveillance-in-the-nhs-england-screening-programme