Author: Lynch Syndrome Ireland

People with Lynch syndrome have a much higher risk of developing colorectal cancer, so they have regular colonoscopies to find and remove precancerous growths (adenomas). Artificial intelligence (AI) can help doctors spot these growths during colonoscopy in people at average risk, but it was unclear whether it would also help in people with Lynch syndrome.

This international study compared standard high-definition colonoscopy with colonoscopy assisted by an AI system called CAD EYE in 733 people with Lynch syndrome across nine specialist centres in Europe.

The researchers found that AI did not significantly increase the number of patients in whom adenomas were detected.

The study also assessed whether the AI could correctly identify whether detected polyps were likely to be precancerous (neoplastic) or non-precancerous (non-neoplastic). While the AI showed good accuracy, it did not perform better than experienced specialist endoscopists, limiting its added value in expert Lynch syndrome surveillance programmes.

Overall, the study suggests that adding AI to colonoscopy does not meaningfully improve adenoma detection or polyp characterisation in specialist surveillance for people with Lynch syndrome, where colonoscopies are already performed by highly experienced endoscopists using high-quality equipment.

https://www.thelancet.com/journals/langas/article/PIIS2468-1253%2826%2900163-9/fulltext

Question… What barriers do we still overlook for people living with cancer?

https://lnkd.in/p/dkFcYFHh

Conclusion

This study characterised neoplasia(unregulated process of cell proliferation that results in a tumour) detection in Lynch syndrome and confirmed higher detection rates with high-quality procedures, supporting the need to benchmark quality standards and neoplasia detection outcomes.

https://www.thieme-connect.de/products/ejournals/abstract/10.1055/a-2888-6567

https://www.thelancet.com/action/showPdf?pii=S2468-1253%2826%2900114-7

Bottom line

This is one of the largest and most important aspirin prevention studies ever conducted in people with Lynch syndrome.

It suggests:

• ✅ Daily aspirin can help reduce the risk of Lynch syndrome–related cancers.
• ✅ 100 mg daily appears to provide similar protection to 600 mg for many people.
• ✅ 100 mg causes fewer side effects and much less serious bleeding.
• ⏳ The researchers will continue following participants for another five years, and those longer-term results should provide even stronger evidence about the best aspirin dose.

UCAN Ireland led a broad coalition to call on Minister for Health Jennifer Carroll MacNeill to act now, before Ireland is left with a gap in strategic direction for cancer care.
Cancer cases in Ireland are projected to grow by 47% by 2040, the second-highest projected growth rate in the EU. We cannot afford any gap in strategy or funding.
Our ask is simple:
✅ Commission a formal evaluation of the current strategy immediately
✅ Announce a cancer strategy steering group with meaningful patient involvement
✅ Publish a clear development timeline, with a target publication date no later than end of 2027
✅ Confirm there will be no gap in strategic direction or funding

https://lnkd.in/dE7jUxi4

If we focus on merely information sharing or a technology sales pitch, we’ll miss an opportunity to build lasting engagement at the volume required to ensure we can meet everyone’s needs as part of change.

Digital healthcare will succeed if it is built directly with the people it is intended to serve

https://www.linkedin.com/posts/emma-ball-56419696_healthcare-is-going-digital-nobody-asked-activity-7479430322741362688-hXLQ?utm_medium=ios_app&rcm=ACoAABs3g3EBzKjRijqM-dZ6l7MG8TrOKYFA0ws&utm_source=social_share_send&utm_campaign=copy_link

When people think about cancer treatment, they often think about #chemotherapy.

But far fewer people talk about digestive issues, unexpected weight loss, food anxiety, pancreatic enzyme replacement (PERT) or the embarrassment that can come with symptoms many patients feel they have to hide.

These are the realities that can have just as much impact on quality of life, yet they’re often left out of the conversation.

If you’ve been affected by a cancer diagnosis – as a patient, carer, or healthcare professional –what symptom do you think deserves more attention❓

Let’s start the conversations that help others feel less alone.

Pamela Deasy(LinkedIn)-Patient Advocacy Pancreatic Cancer Patient Advocate | MA Sociology Student | Turning lived experience into research, awareness, and change

https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamanetworkopen/fullarticle/2850967

The article discusses cascade genetic testing, which means offering genetic testing to close relatives of someone who has already been found to carry an inherited disease-causing gene mutation. e.g. Lynch Syndrome

The idea is simple: if one person has a harmful inherited gene linked to cancer, their parents, siblings, and children may also have it. Finding these relatives early allows them to take steps to prevent cancer or detect it at an early, more treatable stage.

What did the study find?

The researchers looked at nearly 23,000 people who were found to have an inherited cancer-related gene mutation.

The disappointing finding was:

• Only about 24% (roughly 1 in 4) had even one family member go on to have genetic testing.
• That means more than 3 out of 4 people had no relatives tested, despite relatives potentially being at high risk.

The real number may be slightly higher because the study only counted relatives tested through the same laboratory.

The study shows that cascade genetic testing is not reaching enough families. Even when testing is free, most at-risk relatives are never tested. Improving communication, reducing social and cultural barriers, and developing better systems for notifying families could help identify more people at risk and ultimately save lives through earlier detection and prevention of inherited cancers.

Patients Surgical Journey: strategies for patients living with dMMR/MSI CRC. To benefit patients, advance scientific understanding and aid next trial designs, a Multidisciplinary Team approach is essential.

https://www.vumedi.com/video/asco-2026-summary-neoadjuvant-vs-adjuvant-immunotherapy-for-msi-h-colon-cancer/ImFzY28tMjAyNi1zdW1tYXJ5LW5lb2FkanV2YW50LXZzLWFkanV2YW50LWltbXVub3RoZXJhcHktZm9yLW1zaS1oLWNvbG9uLWNhbmNlciI:1weE7K:cG5u9Vjj7Delpqy9z21pa6HRGx_oJny3STddhldFWrE

🔍 Key insights discussed include:
• Early-stage dMMR/MSI-H colon cancers are highly immunogenic, making them particularly responsive to checkpoint inhibitor therapy
• The NICHE-2 trial reported remarkable outcomes with neoadjuvant nivolumab plus ipilimumab, including 97% major pathologic response and 67% pathologic complete response rates
• New phase III studies, including AZUR-2 and NeoShot III, are evaluating whether perioperative immunotherapy can improve long-term outcomes compared with current standards
• ctDNA is emerging as a promising biomarker to identify molecular response, guide treatment duration, and potentially support de-escalation of therapy
• Accurate MMR/MSI testing and high-quality radiologic staging are essential when selecting patients for neoadjuvant immunotherapy
• As outcomes continue to improve, future strategies may allow less treatment, fewer surgeries, and more personalized care for selected patients

These data highlight a rapidly evolving treatment paradigm, where biomarker-driven neoadjuvant immunotherapy may transform the management of localised MSI-H colon cancer.