Category: Colon

A Cancer Journey: My Lynch Syndrome

 I hope will put a Lynch Syndrome diagnosis in the proper perspective and keep you and your loved ones alive.

First, do not bury your head in the sand…

If you have a family history of cancer–of the uterus, ovaries, bladder, ureter, kidney, stomach, small intestine, liver, pancreas, prostate, and oil glands (there may be others), take seriously the possibility that there is a hereditary component to such histories.

Especially–I repeat ESPECIALLY–if there’s a family history of colon or uterine cancer at a young age, talk to your doctors and get tested for Lynch.

And if you happen to test positive for the Lynch mutation, don’t hide it from your family. Because sharing that information may save others in your family as well.

Second, if you discover that you or a loved one has Lynch Syndrome, DON’T FREAK OUT!

https://frankjpeter.com/category/cancer/

Realise that such knowledge—as upsetting as it—invites you to design a surveillance program with your doctors that will enable you to “stay ahead” of the most common types of Lynch cancers, and thus to swing your odds of living a relatively healthy life hugely in your favor.

thisisGO – Lynch Syndrome

thisisGO.ie is an online personalised resource for you and yours who have been impacted by a gynaecological cancer.

Also an excellent resource for Lynch Syndrome.

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National Nursing Workshops: An introduction to Lynch syndrome & the national Lynch syndrome project(UK)

These workshops are aimed at nurses looking for an introduction to Lynch syndrome and the project, and will cover the basics.

A Guide to Lynch Syndrome

Lynch Syndrome 

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

A Guide to Lynch Syndrome 

You can download a copy here

This guide has been made with input from experts, people with Lynch Syndrome and our 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 

Lynch Syndrome

The NordICC Trial: The Devil Is in the Details

The NordICC trial was a randomized, pragmatic study that enrolled 84,585 adults aged 55 to 64 years old from Poland, Norway, and Sweden.

[T]he NordICC trial … fills an important knowledge gap and provides new insight into the real-world population-wide benefit of colonoscopy for colorectal cancer screening.

Preventing Colorectal Cancer

It is important to highlight an advantage of colorectal cancer screening that distinguishes it from all other cancer screening modalities. Colorectal cancer screening with endoscopy is unique in that it aims to, in part, prevent disease by identifying and removing premalignant lesions.

https://ascopost.com/news/november-2022/the-nordicc-trial-the-devil-is-in-the-details/

Kirstie Alley’s Cause Of Death Explained

Kirstie Alley, best known for her Emmy award-winning role as Rebecca Howe on “Cheers,” died Monday night of colon cancer (via People). She was 71.

Her children, True and Lillie Parker, said in a statement on Twitter that her cancer diagnosis was “recently discovered” and that her closest family members were with her. She was receiving treatment at the Moffitt Cancer Center.

Read More: https://www.healthdigest.com/1128029/kirstie-alleys-cause-of-death-explained/?utm_campaign=clip

According to the American Cancer Society, colon cancer might not have symptoms at first, and one could be symptom-free before finding out the cancer has spread.

For those with a genetic predisposition, like Lynch Syndrome, it can spread faster and occur at younger ages (per Fight Colorectal Cancer). Doctors recommend regular colon cancer screenings at age of 45 for anyone with an average risk and even younger for those with a genetic risk factor.

Read More: https://www.healthdigest.com/1128029/kirstie-alleys-cause-of-death-explained/?utm_campaign=clip

Transforming diagnosis of Lynch syndrome in the NHS, working together to “Find the missing 95%

This ongoing transformational project is supported by high levels of engagement across stakeholders in England. Despite barriers, significant quality improvement has been implemented, facilitating systematic delivery of universal testing for LS nationally, with reduction in variation in care. 

Can we appoint Clinical Leads to champion & introduce Universal Testing at Cancer centres in Ireland to improve the service, prevent/detect early genetic cancers and provide a much improved service for people with an inherited predisposition to cancer?

https://www.researchgate.net/publication/364756374_PP031-_The_English_National_Lynch_syndrome_transformation_project_An_NHS_Genomic_Medicine_Service_Programme

How do we screen for bowel cancer?

POO...

In the UK Bowel cancer is a catch-all term for any cancers in the colon or rectum – sometimes called colorectal cancer. 

Faecal immunochemical testing(FIT) – checking for blood in your poo – and other types of bowel cancer screening. This includes Lynch syndrome, a hereditary condition increasing the risk of certain types of cancer including bowel cancer.

https://patient.info/news-and-features/how-do-we-screen-for-bowel-cancer

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

Know the Signs of Bowel Cancer

Approximately 2,700 people are diagnosed with bowel cancer each year in Ireland.

Treatment options and survival rates are better than ever – especially when bowel cancer is found early.