When it comes to cancer drug approvals in EU….the Gap is ALARMING
Author: Lynch Syndrome Ireland
Bowel Cancer: the facts
Dr Fiona Macken: Irish Independent – Health & Living
Are there particular risk factors for Bowel Cancer?
Lynch Syndrome
Lynch syndrome increases the risk of a number of cancers. In general, the risk is highest for colorectal (bowel) cancer, but it depends on the gene affected.
Some colorectal (bowel) cancers are hereditary. Up to 5 people out of every 100 diagnosed with bowel cancer have Lynch syndrome. Other cancers linked to Lynch syndrome include:
- Endometrial (womb)
- Urothelial (kidney, ureter bladder)
- Ovarian
- Stomach
- Small bowel
- Bile duct/gall bladder
- Brain
- Pancreas
- Prostate
- Skin
Metachronous colorectal cancer risks after extended or segmental resection in MLH1, MSH2, and MSH6Lynch syndrome: multicentre study from the Prospective Lynch Syndrome Database
According to the European Hereditary Tumour Group’s latest position report, LS is now considered an umbrella term for four distinct types of LS: MLH1 syndrome, MSH2syndrome, MSH6 syndrome, and PMS2 syndrome. These syndromes vary with regard to the age of onset of the associated cancers, sex predominance, and cancer incidence rates.
PLSD: Analysis of 8500 path_MMR carriers undergoing colonoscopic surveillance .
The aim of this study was to prospectively evaluate the risk of metachronous CRC, stratified by gene and the extent of the resection in previous surgery, contributing to the ongoing discussion on surgical strategies for LS patients.
Bowel Prep for Colonoscopy: Quality Matters
Bowel Prep Is Critical
When we talk about quality in colonoscopy, we’re referring to adenoma detection and sessile serrated lesion detection, along with the associated documentation that we perform.
Achieving that level of quality is not just about writing a prescription for the prep and instructing your patients to follow through with it. Rather, it means providing guidance around diet modification and medication management and explaining the importance of the prep and how it is integral to colonoscopy performance.
It’s a shared responsibility. You, as well as your staff, need to take the time to discuss it with your patients.
Ensuring a quality prep is central to achieving our overall goals in colonoscopy and also in colorectal cancer prevention. Quality is what the patient should expect when a prep is prescribed. Referring physicians and healthcare providers should expect their patients to receive a high-quality colonoscopy prep. It’s our obligation as gastroenterologists to fulfill these expectations.
https://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/bowel-prep-colonoscopy-quality-matters-2025a10007al?form=login
The ins and outs and ups and downs of a colonoscopy
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…
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/
