Author: Lynch Syndrome Ireland

Launch of Hereditary Cancer Model of Care (Ireland)

Hereditary Cancer Model of Care provides the blueprint for the necessary development of services for the identification and management of people with an inherited cancer predisposition (e.g. Lynch syndrome or BRCA gene cancer risk), in order to harness the power of genetics to reduce cancer risk, and improve patient outcomes and quality of life.

The model of care will ensure/support the development of:

  • Development of national guidance to underpin standardised best practice, including mainstreaming of cancer genetic testing
  • Equitable access to hereditary cancer services for all
  • Clear governance and clarity regarding the roles of national genetics and genomic structures, specialist cancer genetics services and regional cancer predisposition services, within an overarching model of care
  • Commitment to the Sláintecare principles of right person, right place, right time – through the integration of genetic assessment and testing into regional services, with access to specialist genetic expertise as required
  • Maximal use of technological solutions
  • Timely access to genetics assessment and testing, including specialist cancer genetics expertise as required
  • Timely access to clinical management of cancer predisposition, including risk reduction options
  • Comprehensive and coordinated approaches to ongoing management
  • Quality assurance of service
  • Access to high quality patient information, psychological support and peer support for patients
  • Education and training of health care professionals, including accredited training for those delivering mainstreamed pathways

https://www.hse.ie/eng/services/list/5/cancer/news/launch-of-hereditary-cancer-model-of-care.html?fbclid=IwAR3vT3_RDbmNM4YhcTQFjNj_mxPEfoFHrIBut6iukmsFyxs2FkHj2hDdbGw

Fallopian Tubes and Ovarian Cancer: What’s the Connection?

Ovarian cancer almost always starts in the fallopian tubes.

Why is it called ovarian cancer if it doesn’t start there? For a long time, the ovaries were assumed to be the source because that is where the cancer is concentrated at the time of diagnosis.

Who should consider the procedure? 

Women who have an average risk of ovarian cancer who no longer desire fertility but also want to reduce the risk of developing ovarian cancer might consider the procedure. Women with an elevated risk due to a gene mutation or family history should speak to their genetic counselor or doctor for more information. 

What are the benefits and drawbacks? 

For women with an average risk of ovarian cancer, the surgery has the potential to reduce the likelihood of ovarian cancer. The surgery is not reversible and causes infertility. Pregnancy is still possible, though only via in-vitro fertilization. For pre-menopausal women, removal of the fallopian tubes only, and not the ovaries, does not induce menopause.

The recovery time for fallopian tube removal is a few days to a few weeks, though the overall recovery time will depend on the primary reason for surgery. 

Fallopian Tubes and Ovarian Cancer: What’s the Connection? 

Children’s cancer – Irish Cancer Society

Cancer is rare in children. Around 190 children and teenagers under the age of 16 are diagnosed each year in Ireland. Children’s cancers are different to adult cancers. They often affect different parts of the body and behave differently. About 1 in every 3 cancers that affects children is leukaemia, which is a blood cancer. The most common tumours in children are brain and central nervous system tumours.

About children’s cancer

After a diagnosis of children’s cancer

Publications about children’s cancer

More information and support

Cancer in the classroom

https://www.cancer.ie/cancer-information-and-support/childrens-cancer#classroom

A Guide to Lynch Syndrome

Lynch Syndrome is an inherited condition that increases your risk of developing some cancers, including bowel, womb and ovarian cancer. This is a guide to run through everything you need to know about Lynch.

Lynch Syndrome

This guide has been made with input from experts, people with Lynch Syndrome and Ask Eve nurses to provide you with all the information you need when offered testing for, or navigating a diagnosis of, Lynch Syndrome.  

We also have an Easy Read guide to Lynch Syndrome, which you can download here 

Philadelphia Girl, 14, Battling Three Cancers Simultaneously Hoping For a Breakthrough— The Rare Genetic Disorder Involved — How To Screen

Discovering that you or a family member have Lynch syndrome, Li-Fraumeni syndrome, or the BRCA1 and BRCA2 gene mutation, which increases the risk of developing breast and ovarian cancer, can be life-saving.

https://www.survivornet.com/articles/li-fraumeni-syndrome-importance-genetic-testing-sarcomas/

Exercise boosts anti-cancer immunity and reduces inflammation in Lynch Syndrome patients

A study led by our Dr. Eduardo Vilar-Sanchez found that intense aerobic exercise may lower the risk of colorectal cancer in patients with #LynchSyndrome.

Note: there are limitations to the study.

https://www.mdanderson.org/newsroom/exercise-boosts-anti-cancer-immunity-reduces-inflammation-in-lynch-syndrome-patients.h00-159621801.html

Why do we need to know if your cancer is hereditary?

If you find out your cancer is hereditary, knowing which gene mutations are involved enables you to:

• tailor your cancer treatments to your particular cancer, when possible;

 • take available steps to decrease your risk of developing other cancers; and 

• help your family members minimize their risk of cancer.

What if you don’t want to know?

Part of you may not want to know if your cancer is hereditary. Listen to the part of you that wants to do the best thing for your health and for your family. Finding out you have a mutation can be upsetting. Yet many patients report feeling relief and a renewed sense of control: “Learning I have a mutation does not change what is. It changes what I can do about what is.”

Click to access Your_Genetic_Inheritance_PHO.pdf

Long-term outcomes of hysterectomy with bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy: a systematic review and meta-analysis

https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0002937823004416?utm_campaign=STMJ_AUTH_SERV_PUBLISHED&utm_medium=email&utm_acid=101158843&SIS_ID=&dgcid=STMJ_AUTH_SERV_PUBLISHED&CMX_ID=&utm_in=DM385143&utm_source=AC_
What does this add to what is known?

Our findings show that hysterectomy with BSO at any age reduces the risk of ovarian cancer and that hysterectomy with BSO at a young age is associated with a reduced risk of breast cancer. Nevertheless, this risk reduction should be balanced against the possible increase in the risk of CVD, colorectal cancer, and all-cause mortality in young women. Furthermore, more evidences on the efficacy of hormone replacement therapy in mitigating the adverse effects of the premature cessation of estrogen are needed.

Conclusion:

Hysterectomy with bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy was associated with multiple long-term outcomes. The benefits of the addition of bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy to hysterectomy should be balanced against the risks.

Being Authentic

So, what does being authentic mean anyway? Is it just another one of those buzz words?

When you look around, there are various definitions, but words like reliable, genuine, trustworthy, and real are usually in there someplace.

Authenticity & 13 years of blogging!