Author: Lynch Syndrome Ireland

Genetic testing for cancer: Why it makes sense

Genetic testing has several important implications in the management of cancer

Genetic testing is generally done for patients with a significant family history of cancer, or some specific patterns of presentation of cancer. If a causative germline mutation is identified, the individual’s family members are also screened for it.

Thus, a cancer patient who gets suitable genetic testing done also helps save lives of family members by making them aware of any causative mutation present in their genes.

https://www.firstpost.com/health/genetic-testing-for-cancer-why-it-makes-sense-11582751.html

MyLynch: Your Personal Cancer Risk

Help your Family by Sharing

MyLynch was built by cancer researchers and statisticians from the BayesMendel lab at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and Harvard University to help people with Lynch Syndrome (LS) understand how their LS can increase the risk of different cancers and to show them what they can do to lower their risks.

Did you know:

1. Lynch syndrome cancers are preventable and can be caught early… if the person knows they have Lynch syndrome. Catching cancers early means saving lives.

2. Only 1 in 100 people with Lynch syndrome know they have it.

3. Your parents, siblings, and kids have a 50% chance of having Lynch; your grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins, and grandchildren are also at risk.

Sharing your Lynch diagnosis with your family can save their lives. Almost all people with Lynch syndrome share their diagnosis with their parents, siblings, and children.

But…

Some people never tell their other relatives.

Save a Life

You could save the life of a family member if you choose to share your diagnosis.

Your doctor can help you make a plan to tell your family or you can use a website like Kin Talk (kintalk.org).

Lynch Syndrome- St Marks

Patient Information – 2019

Click to access Lynch-syndrome-leaflet-updated-November-2019_v3.pdf

  1. What is the chance of developing cancer if a faulty gene is found? Not everyone who carries a Lynch syndrome pathogenic variant will develop cancer. The risk of developing cancer is considerably lower in those who know they have Lynch Syndrome compared to those who have it but are unaware of the diagnosis.

What is Inherited Cancer?

Benefits and Drawbacks of Genetic Testing:

• Can identify those at risk of developing further cancer • Control/manage risks
• Can sometimes direct surgical/treatment options
• Explanation for why cancer had occurred

•Psychological/emotional impact

Can allow predictive testing of other relatives


• Identify those at risk- appropriate screening/risk reducing surgery • Increased anxiety/worry and guilt

Click to access What%20is%20Inherited%20Cancer%20Eoin%20Hanney_0.pdf

Colonoscopy withdrawal time and polyp/adenoma detection rate: a single-site retrospective study in regional Queensland

Bowel cancer is the second most common non-cutaneous cancer diagnosed in Australia among both genders. Colonoscopy withdrawal time of at least 6 min has been accepted as the standard to achieve the target polyp detection rate (PDR) and adenoma detection rate (ADR).

Conclusion

Colonoscopies with withdrawal times of less than 6 min did not achieve the target detection rates. It is clear that achieving the advocated withdrawal time for screening colonoscopy improves detection rates.

https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1111/ans.15652

Current practice of colonoscopy surveillance in patients with lynch syndrome: A multicenter retrospective cohort study in Japan

Current guidelines recommend that patients with Lynch syndrome should have colonoscopy surveillance every 1–2 years starting at the age of 20–25. However, insufficient data are available to evaluate the quality and safety of colonoscopy surveillance for patients with Lynch syndrome nationwide in Japan.

The proportion of patients developing cancer was significantly higher with a >24 months than a ≤24 months interval.

Conclusion

High-volume experienced endoscopists and appropriate surveillance intervals may minimize the risk of developing colorectal cancers in patients with Lynch syndrome.

https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/deo2.179

Food and Cancer- Myths debunked

Food and Cancer- Myths debunked!

There is a lot of information available in relation to nutrition and cancer these days, and while often well-intentioned, it is not always based on scientific evidence.
Do you want to know if you should really be avoiding certain food groups? Increasing your intake of certain food groups?
This booklet aims to answer frequently asked questions….

Click to read the full booklet:
https://breakthroughcancerresearch.ie/the-truth-behind-food-and-cancer/

Watch LYNKED IN 2022

Hosted by Dana Faber Lynch Syndrome Center
You can now watch presentations from this year’s LYNKED IN conference on our YouTube channel.Hosted by Dana Faber -Lynch Syndrome Center, the 7th annual LYNKED IN conference for individuals and families of those with Lynch syndrome was held on Sept. 24, 2022.
Health Care Professionals

If you are a doctor or other healthcare professional who may be interested, videos from the conference for healthcare professionals are now online here.

PASSPORT: Treatment Summary and Care Plan for patients with Colorectal Cancer

You have just been diagnosed with Colorectal Cancer (also known as bowel cancer, colon cancer or rectal cancer). This Passport is a guide to your treatment and follow-up care (surveillance).

It aims to help you understand and keep a record of your treatment pathway. Please remember to bring it to each hospital/virtual appointment.

Just as everyone is different, everyone’s treatment will be different.

Click to access nccp-passport-2022-jan-2022.pdf

Right to be Forgotten…

https://www.cancer.ie/about-us/news/new-bill-to-ease-access-to-mortgage-and-insurance-for-cancer-survivors

A new Bill was recently brought before the Seanad will aim to ensure cancer survivors are not denied access to financial products like mortgage protection and insurance due to their medical history.

The Bill, which will seek to revise current legislation, outlines that a person seeking access to financial services will no longer have to declare a cancer diagnosis five years after finishing active treatment. The move is supported by the Irish Cancer Society.