Author: Lynch Syndrome Ireland

Genitourinary Syndrome of Menopause (GSM)

Genitourinary Syndrome of Menopause (GSM) is a common, progressive condition caused by dropping estrogen levels during and after menopause. It affects the tissues of the vulva, vagina, and lower urinary tract, leading to symptoms like vaginal dryness, painful intercourse, urinary urgency, and recurrent urinary tract infections (UTIs).

“Recently published this paper outline the evidence supporting the use of vaginal estrogen to treat (GSM) in women living with or after cancer.

Unfortunately this is an area that is often neglected by clinicians and patients can find it difficult to raise their symptoms or worries during a consultation.

Ultimately low dose vaginal estrogen is likely to be safe and effective in most women with recurrent UTIs or vulvo vaginal atrophy and a history of cancer, however longer term studies would be very helpful.

In the meantime please don’t be afraid to ask your doctor about symptoms such recurrent cystitis, vaginal pain or dryness or painful intercourse there are treatments available”

Donal Brennan-UCD Professor of Gynaecological Oncology at University- College Dublin. LinkedIn.

https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0378512226001817

Could taking aspirin halve the risk of bowel cancer?

In this episode, they explore the findings from the landmark CaPP3 trial, hear from a participant living with Lynch syndrome, and discuss how genomics could help shift healthcare from treatment to prevention. 

Daily low-dose aspirin may significantly reduce bowel cancer risk in people with Lynch syndrome. 

The podcast discusses results from the landmark CaPP3 clinical trial investigating aspirin for cancer prevention. 

Earlier research found aspirin could reduce bowel cancer risk in people with Lynch syndrome by around 50%. 

Lynch syndrome is an inherited condition that greatly increases the risk of bowel and several other cancers. 

Genomic testing can identify people who may benefit from targeted prevention strategies like aspirin therapy. 

Prevention is becoming an increasingly important role for genomic medicine—not just diagnosing disease. 

Aspirin is inexpensive and widely available, making it a potentially accessible prevention option. 

Aspirin is not suitable for everyone because long-term use can increase the risk of bleeding and other side effects. 

People should only take aspirin for cancer prevention under medical advice. Regular bowel cancer screening remains essential, even for people taking aspirin. 

Family genetic testing can identify relatives who may also have Lynch syndrome and benefit from surveillance and prevention. 

The podcast highlights how combining genomics, screening, and preventive treatments could improve long-term health outcomes

https://www.genomicsengland.co.uk/podcasts/could-taking-aspirin-halve-the-risk-of-bowel-cancer

Virtual Ward ANP service at St. Vincent’s University Hospital

Elaine Whyte, a Registered Advanced Nurse Practitioner (ANP) in the Virtual Ward at St Vincent’s University Hospital in LinkedIn….

Elaine describes the Virtual Ward as an innovative model of care that delivers hospital-level treatment to suitable patients in their own homes through comprehensive clinical assessment, remote monitoring, prescribing, diagnostics, and multidisciplinary teamwork. The service has expanded to include home intravenous therapy, enabling more patients to receive complex treatments without hospital admission.

She emphasises that the greatest benefit of the Virtual Ward is the positive impact on patients, who can recover in familiar surroundings with their families while maintaining independence. Elaine attributes the success of the service to the dedication of a highly collaborative multidisciplinary team and the mentorship she has received throughout her career, highlighting how empowered nursing leadership can transform healthcare delivery.

https://www.linkedin.com/posts/elaine-whyte-a24a89ab_hse-technologyandtransformation-virtualward-ugcPost-7478158764492181504-ID3R/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=member_desktop&rcm=ACoAABs3g3EBzKjRijqM-dZ6l7MG8TrOKYFA0ws

“Reform must be evident in people’s experience of our health service.”

The newly appointed Derek Tierney , Secretary General of the Irish Department of Health, has set out this important principle.

Patient experience is shaped by how the organisation itself functions.

When accountability is clear, decisions are owned, delays are challenged and learning is visible, patients and staff experience the difference.

How will patients know when reform is working?

If patient experience is to become the defining measure of reform, then access, safety, outcomes, dignity, complaint resolution and patients’ rights should become visible, published measures of success.

https://www.linkedin.com/posts/stephen-mcmahon-716b3812_patientsrights-patientsafety-healthreform-share-7477258364142608384-2Ua8/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=member_desktop&rcm=ACoAABs3g3EBzKjRijqM-dZ6l7MG8TrOKYFA0ws

𝐖𝐡𝐞𝐧 “𝐖𝐞 𝐃𝐨𝐧’𝐭 𝐊𝐧𝐨𝐰” 𝐈𝐬 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐌𝐨𝐬𝐭 𝐑𝐞𝐬𝐩𝐨𝐧𝐬𝐢𝐛𝐥𝐞 𝐀𝐧𝐬𝐰𝐞𝐫 𝐢𝐧 𝐆𝐞𝐧𝐨𝐦𝐢𝐜𝐬

A Variant of Uncertain Significance (VUS) is one of the most misunderstood outcomes in genetic testing.

It doesn’t mean a person has a disease, nor does it mean they are disease-free-it simply means that current scientific evidence is insufficient to determine whether the variant is benign or pathogenic.

The recent American College of Medical Genetics and Genomics (ACMG) statement reinforces several important principles:

✅ A VUS should not be used to guide medical or surgical decisions.
✅ Clinical management should be based on the individual’s personal and family history, not on a VUS alone.
✅ As scientific knowledge grows, a VUS may be reclassified over time, highlighting the importance of periodic review.
✅ Clear communication between laboratories, clinicians, and patients is essential to avoid misinterpretation.

As genomics becomes increasingly integrated into healthcare, understanding the difference between finding a variant and understanding its clinical significance is more important than ever.

Genetics isn’t just about finding answers—it’s also about knowing when the evidence isn’t there yet. “Dr. Jiny Nair-LinkedIn”

Don’t feel bad if you’ve put it off—just do it

The article “8 Things Doctors Want You to Know Before Your Colonoscopy” (TIME, May 6, 2026) explains what to expect from a colonoscopy and aims to reduce anxiety around the procedure. 

Key takeaways

  1. Colonoscopies are important preventive screenings
    • They are one of the most effective ways to detect colorectal cancer early and can prevent cancer by finding and removing precancerous polyps during the procedure.
  2. The preparation is often the hardest part
    • Doctors say patients typically find the bowel-cleansing preparation more unpleasant than the procedure itself. A clean colon is essential because it helps doctors see abnormalities clearly. 
  3. The procedure itself is usually painless
    • Most people receive sedation or anesthesia and remember little or nothing about the exam. The colonoscopy generally takes only a short time. 
  4. You should follow prep instructions carefully
    • Diet restrictions and laxative instructions may seem inconvenient, but inadequate preparation can reduce the quality of the exam and may require repeating it. 
  5. Finding polyps doesn’t automatically mean cancer
    • Polyps are common, especially as people age. Most are benign, but removing them helps prevent some from eventually becoming cancerous. 
  6. There are risks, but serious complications are uncommon
    • Colonoscopy is considered a safe procedure, though, like any medical intervention, it carries some risks that should be discussed with a healthcare provider. 
  7. Alternative screening options exist
    • Stool-based tests and newer blood tests are available for some patients, but a positive result typically requires follow-up with a colonoscopy. Many specialists still consider colonoscopy the most comprehensive screening tool. 
  8. Don’t delay screening because of embarrassment or fear
    • Doctors emphasise that colorectal cancer is often preventable or highly treatable when caught early, and the temporary inconvenience of screening is far outweighed by its benefits. 
Bottom line

The article’s central message is that while colonoscopies have an intimidating reputation, the procedure is usually straightforward, safe, and highly effective at preventing and detecting colorectal cancer. The preparation is often the most challenging aspect, but completing screening on schedule can have major long-term health benefits.

Will I be diagnosed with cancer? 

Will I be diagnosed with cancer? Should I undergo a preventive bilateral mastectomy to reduce my breast cancer risk? Will my children face the same cancer risks I do? How will my family members react to this genetic information?

Today, we are living in a time of heightened and unexpected uncertainty across many areas of life.

In this context, managing uncertainty means doctors and patients need to build trust, show empathy and engage in honest, ongoing conversations that acknowledge what is known and unknown, as well as work together to create a plan of action.

We can’t eliminate uncertainty in healthcare, research or society. But we can learn to talk about it, manage it and ultimately accept it. This is the perspective we need, now more than ever.

Read more at: https://www.miamiherald.com/opinion/article312085564.html#storylink=cpy

Advancing early detection and personalised prevention of Lynch syndrome.

𝗟𝗶𝗾𝘂𝗶𝗱 𝗯𝗶𝗼𝗽𝘀𝘆 𝗶𝘀 𝗮𝘁 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗵𝗲𝗮𝗿𝘁 𝗼𝗳 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗣𝗥𝗘𝗗𝗜-𝗟𝗬𝗡𝗖𝗛 𝗺𝗶𝘀𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻. 𝗕𝘂𝘁 𝗵𝗼𝘄 𝗱𝗼𝗲𝘀 𝗶𝘁 𝘄𝗼𝗿𝗸?

As cancer develops, it can leave behind tiny molecular traces, such as fragments of tumour DNA, in bodily fluids.

➡ Liquid biopsy technologies are designed to detect and analyse these signals through minimally invasive or non-invasive samples, helping researchers better understand cancer risk and early disease development.

In PREDI-LYNCH, they are exploring innovative approaches to support earlier detection of Lynch syndrome-associated cancers, with the ambition of making screening more accurate, accessible and patient-friendly.

By advancing non-invasive tools and combining molecular analysis with artificial intelligence, PREDI-LYNCH aims to contribute to improved hereditary cancer prevention across Europe.

PREDI-LYNCH Advancing early detection and personalized prevention of Lynch syndrome

“Could taking aspirin halve the risk of bowel cancer?”

Podcast: https://www.genomicsengland.co.uk/podcasts/could-taking-aspirin-halve-the-risk-of-bowel-cancer

1. Low-dose aspirin appears to significantly reduce bowel cancer risk in people with Lynch syndrome

2. Earlier research showed about a 50% reduction in bowel cancer

3. Lynch syndrome is a major inherited cancer-risk condition

4. Prevention is a growing role for genomics

5. Aspirin is not risk-free

6. Screening remains extremely important

7. Family testing can be life-changing

8. Scientists are still studying how aspirin works

Bottom line

The podcast’s core message is that for people with Lynch syndrome, a daily low-dose aspirin regimen could become a powerful, relatively simple way to reduce bowel cancer risk, especially when combined with genomic testing and regular screening.
It highlights how genetic knowledge can enable earlier and more effective cancer prevention.

Cancer is also a human, personal experience. 

Edgework is a concept that describes situations where people exist close to the edge between life and death, safety and danger and must use significant skill to navigate their way across, and survive, this edge.

When we look at the lived experience of cancer patients, we can see that many people find themselves living in a similar edge space between certainty and uncertainty, life and death. They must confront and navigate existential edges, existential threats, as well as real, immediate serious challenges.

This perspective helps us see the patient as an active presence, someone who is navigating risk with the help of their social networks and health professionals.

It encourages us to see the courage and adaptation capacities of patients as they deal with life and death situations, and the new forms of awareness, connection and purpose that can come with their negotiations of the edges that their cancer presents to them.

Cancer as a form of sociology edgework