A Guide for Patients and Their Families
Lynch Syndrome is associated with a higher-than-normal chance of developing certain types of cancer before the age of 50.
What does it mean to live with Lynch Syndrome?
Author: Lynch Syndrome Ireland
The NICHE-2 Study Discussion with Dr. Myriam Chalabi
https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMoa2211437
Conclusions: Among patients with resectable stage III or IV melanoma, event-free survival was significantly longer among those who received pembrolizumab both before and after surgery than among those who received adjuvant pembrolizumab alone. No new toxic effects were identified.
Delphi Initiative for Early-Onset Colorectal Cancer (DIRECt) International Management Guidelines
Conclusions
The DIRECt group produced the first consensus recommendations on eoCRC. All statements should be considered together with the accompanying comments and literature reviews. We highlighted areas where research should be prioritized. These guidelines represent a useful tool for clinicians caring for patients with eoCRC.
Results
The DIRECt consensus produced 31 recommendations for patients diagnosed with eoCRC ≥18 years old based on 145 articles (summarized in Supplementary Appendices 2–7). When appropriate, issues related to colon or rectal cancers specifically are highlighted; in cases where statements applied to both colon and rectal cancer, the term colorectal cancer (CRC) was used.
All statements are summarized in Table 2, Table 3, Table 4(Table 2: diagnosis, risk factors, and genetics; Table 3: pathology, oncology; Table 4: endoscopic diagnosis and treatment, therapy, and supportive care). Areas of controversy are described throughout the main text and summarized in Table 5.
Womb Cancer Genomics – Research and Patient Benefit
Peaches Womb Cancer Trust is proud to present part one of their womb cancer genomics webinar. Originally aired in November 2022.
With Dr Neil Ryan, who shares his wealth of expertise in Lynch Syndrome.
Note: Can be viewed on You Tube
For more information on the topics discussed, please visit:
https://peachestrust.org/peaches-pati…
Does Genetic Testing Affect The Cost of Life Insurance in Ireland?
Well, fortunately for you, if you have undergone genetic testing, they don’t, and they can’t add a loading to your policy.
Why can’t insurers use genetic test results?
We all have the Disability Act 2005 to thank.
This pretty sound piece of legislation prohibits the insurance companies from asking about genetic tests.
When you apply for life insurance, you must disclose a certain amount of personal information, such as:
- Family medical history
- Personal medical history – Your insurer may ask for access to your medical records, but you have to provide your permission for this.
- Your age
- Height & weight
- Whether you are a smoker or a drinker
- Any prescription drugs you take
- Your occupation – high-risk occupations can increase your premiums)
- Any hazardous hobbies you take part in
- Star sign
- Pet’s name
- Mother maiden name
- How many photos contain traffic lights
Can You Get Life Insurance After Cancer?
Yes, it is possible to get life insurance after a cancer diagnosis. However, the availability and terms of coverage will depend on the specific details of your diagnosis, treatment, current health status and family history.
There’s no getting around the fact that life insurance after cancer is more expensive. If you can get cover, the insurer will increase your premium significantly compared to someone with no history of health issues.
Normally this increase will be temporary for a period of between one to ten years.
Roberta
I’ve been given the gift of information,while it can be physically & emotionally taxing, I can take steps to ensure colorectal cancer doesn’t end my life.I can help others have the courage to get tested & go for screening if they notice a change.
When asked what she wanted people to take away from her contribution to the Marie Keating Foundation’s #JoinTheBowelMovement campaign this April, Roberta’s message was simple.
“Firstly, get to know your family history and the signs and symptoms of bowel cancer. Secondly, if you are experiencing symptoms but don’t fit the idea in your mind of “what a bowel cancer patient is”, speak to your GP about it anyway. And finally, if you’re eligible, go for BowelScreen. It’s so much easier to prevent than to cure, so if you were to take something away from my story, I would want it to be that.”
Immunotherapy and… Nothing Else? Studies Test Potential Paradigm Shift in Cancer Treatment
The leaders of those trials and other experts stressed that much more research is needed before this treatment approach becomes part of everyday cancer care. But they agreed that the findings so far are highly encouraging.
The most recent results come from a 35-patient clinical trial conducted at MD Anderson Cancer Center. Most patients in the trial had locally advanced colorectal cancer. Perhaps most important, however, was that all participants’ tumors had specific genetic changes—known as MSI-high or dMMR—that make them particularly good candidates for immunotherapy.
Review of governance arrangements to support HSE drug reimbursement process
The Report concluded that there is scope for improvements in a number of areas, including:
- transparency of the process
- communications with, and the availability of, information to patients
- tracking the progression of medicines through the process
The Minister for Health fully supports any recommendations contained in the Report that improve the process, provide easier access, and support value for money.
Speaking on the publication of the report, Derick Mitchell IPPOSI CEO stated that ‘although long overdue, the publication of this report is an important step in the reform of our medicines access process in Ireland. The report findings are sensible and practical, and need consideration in the Irish context. The fact that many other countries, including our near neighbours in Scotland, have many of these reforms already in place is a cause for concern for many patient groups’, he said.
IPPOSI looks forward to engaging with the new working group in 2023 as part of its consultation with patient groups.
