Going for a #colonoscopy?
This popular blog answers your-most asked questions: how to get ready for the test, what you can and can’t eat, what happens and how long the test takes…
Author: Lynch Syndrome Ireland
HSE National Clinical Guideline: Active surveillance for patients with prostate cancer
Scope: The scope of the guideline is to provide clinical recommendations on the active surveillance of patients with prostate cancer. Any other treatment was considered to be out of scope.
Summary of National Clinical Guideline
This National Clinical Guideline contains evidence-based recommendations.
This guideline is for patients diagnosed with prostate cancer whose cancer may be suitable for “active surveillance”. Active surveillance is where you watch patient’s cancer closely and only start treatment if test results show it is getting worse. The document explains which patients’ prostate cancer can be managed with active surveillance. It also outlines the tests used to monitor the cancer during active surveillance and how often to get the tests.
It covers:
which patients are suitable for active surveillance enrolment
what type of tests should be included on an active surveillance protocol
how often should patients receive each test on an active surveillance protocol
when should a patient switch from active surveillance to a different treatment
The document also describes the changes in test results that may lead to switching to a different treatment. Ask your doctor or any member of your treating team if you want to know about your test results or treatment options.
Lynch syndrome for the gynaecologist (Nov 2020)
Key content
- Lynch syndrome is an autosomal dominant condition closely associated with colorectal, endometrial and ovarian cancer.
- Women with Lynch syndrome are at increased risk of both endometrial and ovarian cancer and should be offered personalised counselling regarding family planning, red flag symptoms and risk-reducing strategies.
- Surveillance for gynaecological cancer in women with Lynch syndrome remains controversial; more robust data are needed to determine its effectiveness.
- Universal testing for Lynch syndrome in endometrial cancer is being adopted by centres across Europe and is now recommended by the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence; thus, gynaecologists must become familiar with testing strategies and their results.
- Testing strategies involve risk stratification of cancers based on phenotypical features and definitive germline testing.
HSE Health A-Z
Check out new addition on “Lynch syndrome” thanks to NCCP.
A common drug sitting in your medicine cabinet right now may help fight cancer
It’s been a go-to for headaches, fevers, and sore muscles for over a century. But new research suggests that aspirin—the everyday over-the-counter medication sitting in your cabinet—might also have another, far more unexpected use as an anti-cancer drug.
A 30-year study from researchers at Harvard is catching attention…
By analyzing data from over 100,000 people, researchers found that taking aspirin at least twice a week was associated with a reduced risk of colorectal cancer—but especially among people who don’t follow other health guidelines, like eating well or not smoking. So, while it isn’t a mind-blowing anti-cancer drug, it could very well have some promising potential to become one.
These newest findings could point toward a future where aspirin is used strategically based on someone’s genetic makeup and lifestyle risk factors to help treat dangerous cancers. However, there’s still reason for caution (Aspirin carries several known side effects, including the risk of stomach bleeding, especially in people over the age of 70. That’s why researchers are increasingly calling for personalised guidelines rather than blanket recommendations when treating it as an anti-cancer drug)
https://bgr.com/science/a-common-drug-sitting-in-your-medicine-cabinet-right-now-may-help-fight-cancer/
Outcomes of endometrial cancer prevention strategies in Patients with Lynch syndrome: a nationwide cohort study.
Female Lynch syndrome carriers have an increased risk of developing endometrial cancer. Regardless, research on endometrial carcinoma tumorigenesis is scarce and no uniform, evidence-based gynaecological management guidelines exist. We therefore described gynaecological surveillance and surgery outcomes in a nation-wide Lynch syndrome cohort.
Interpretation: In a nation-wide cohort of Lynch syndrome carriers, nearly one-third of eligible carriers did not undergo gynaecological surveillance. Endometrial carcinomas diagnosed during surveillance were slightly more often stage FIGO IA, but this did not seem to substantially decrease the requisite for adjuvant therapy or affect overall survival, questioning effectiveness of current gynaecological management. Prospective research should further assess this, as well as patient preferences.
Presentation: Patient with a genetic diagnosis of Lynch syndrome
Attention GP’s
Lynch syndrome is an inherited colorectal cancer condition that confers a high risk of developing other cancers. It is essential to identify the causative gene variant before making management recommendations.
What is the Lynch syndrome registry? (UK)
Lynch syndrome can run in families. It increases your risk of being diagnosed with bowel cancer, as well as other cancers including endometrial (womb), ovarian, stomach, bladder, kidney, and skin cancers. This condition is diagnosed by having a genetic test.
The Lynch syndrome registry records and analyses important information about people with Lynch syndrome. This helps to understand how people with Lynch syndrome are looked after and cared for across England. All information is held on a secure and confidential computer database.
Why have a Lynch syndrome registry?
The focus of the Lynch syndrome registry is to address the differences in access, quality and timeliness of regular check-ups that people with Lynch syndrome in England currently experience.
The registry will collect information from people with Lynch syndrome and help us to better understand how these people are currently being monitored and managed.
April is Bowel Cancer Awareness Month
According to the 2023 National Cancer Registry of Ireland (NCRI) report, around 2,500 men and women are diagnosed with bowel cancer in Ireland every year 1,452 men and 1,047 women. To learn more about the condition and some helpful advice to support you at every step of your bowel cancer journey, click below.
Navigating Patient Vulnerability During Medical Procedures
The person actually taking a sharp object to cut me open to remove my port, he never introduced himself to me.
This act of restraint heightened feelings of vulnerability and helplessness.
No one acknowledged that I was speaking.
It’s scary to be so vulnerable, no matter how old you are, no matter how many procedures you endure, especially when you’ve never met the person performing it and can’t see.
I couldn’t anticipate the impact.
The doctor who performed the procedure never came to talk to me.
Lynch Syndrome Ireland 