Category: Prevention

Knowing your family history

Knowing your family history of cancer is a critical aspect of cancer prevention and early detection.

Many types of cancer, including Lynch syndrome-related cancers, have a hereditary component. This means that individuals with a family history of cancer may be at increased risk for developing the same or related types of cancer.

The more you know about your family’s cancer history, the better equipped you will be to make informed decisions about your own health and to take proactive steps to reduce your risk of cancer.

https://www.aliveandkickn.org/knowing-your-family-history

Womb Cancer: Risk Factors and Prevention

Lynch syndrome may affect up to 175,000 people in the UK and is linked to 3% of cases of womb cancer. To develop Lynch syndrome, you need to have one parent that carries the gene. Someone diagnosed with Lynch syndrome has up to 60% chance of developing womb cancer in their lifetime. Lynch syndrome is also associated with an increased risk of bowel cancer. Those diagnosed with Lynch syndrome undergo regular tests to check for bowel cancer and womb cancer, many will be offered a hysterectomy (operation to remove the womb) to prevent womb cancer once they feel their family is complete.

Lynch syndrome is often diagnosed when a strong family history of bowel or womb cancer is noted. If you feel this may apply to you, please speak to your doctor about being referred to a genetics service. More information on Lynch syndrome can be found here.

https://peachestrust.org/womb-cancer/risk-factors-prevention/

Understanding Immunotherapy Side Effects

Immune checkpoint inhibitors (a type of immunotherapy) offer a promising new way to treat cancer for some patients. But these medicines can cause your immune system to attack normal organs and tissues in your body, affecting the way they work.

Preventing Lynch Syndrome Cancers: Study Suggests Immunotherapy Could Work….https://www.mskcc.org/news/preventing-lynch-syndrome-cancers-new-study-suggests-immunotherapy-could-work

No matter where your cancer began, side effects from immunotherapy can affect your whole body.

https://www.nccn.org/docs/default-source/patient-resources/immunotherapy_infographic.pdf?sfvrsn=f92249ca_36

Endometrial, Ovarian, and Other Lynch Syndrome–Associated Cancers

For women with Lynch syndrome, endometrial cancer and ovarian cancer represent the second- and third-most common associated malignancy, respectively, after colorectal cancer. 

Despite gaps in knowledge, most guidelines currently recommend consideration of risk-reducing hysterectomy and salpingo-oophorectomy at the completion of childbearing and/or in the early 40s, with consideration of annual transvaginal ultrasound and endometrial biopsy at age 30 to 35 (continued until risk-reducing surgery).

https://ascopubs.org/doi/10.1200/EDBK_208341

Inaugural Cancer Genetic Counselling Conference: Connecting Research and Practice

Date and time: Thu, 14 Nov 2024 09:00 – 16:00 GMT
Location: Guinness Enterprise CentreTaylor’s Lane Level 4, Conference room 1-2 Dublin 8

Join us for a day filled with insightful discussions, networking opportunities, and the latest advancements in cancer genetic counselling.

Don’t miss this chance to connect with experts in the field and learn about cutting-edge research that can enhance your practice.

Secure your in person or online attendance now!

https://www.eventbrite.ie/e/inaugural-cancer-genetic-counselling-conference-connecting-research-and-practice-tickets-959444734027?aff=oddtdtcreator

2024 IGCS-IGCAN Gynecologic Cancer Survivor-Caregiver Summit – Dublin

Advocacy Summit

Initiatives Promoting Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion in Patient Outreach Projects (IGCS Grant Recipients)

  • HER REASON FOR BEING: A Multifaceted Community-Based Project to Advance Cervical Cancer Prevention and Awareness
  • Nan men gran m’et la: Pilot Palliative Care Intervention for Vulnerable Women with Advanced Cervical Cancer in Haiti
  • Acceptability of Self-Sampling for Cervical Screening in the LGBTQIA+ Population – The Alternative Cervical Screening (ACES) LGBTQIA+ 2 Study

Empowered by Experience: Insights on Cancer Survivorship

  • The Public Narrative: Using your Lived Experiences to Call for Action
  • Key Findings from the IGCAN Survivorship + Caregiver Survey
  • Voices of Resilience: Survivorship Panel Discussion

Agents of Change: Patient Advocacy Organizations in Action

  • Every Woman Study™ LMIC Edition: World Ovarian Cancer Coalition
  • Ovarian Cancer Australia

A Clinical Perspective: Genetics & Clinical Trial Updates

  • Genetics in Gynecologic Cancer: Enhancing Understanding and Treatment
  • Recent Discoveries in Gynecologic Cancer Clinical Trials

ThisisGo.ie

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

Also contains: genetic pathway for those impacted by BRCA and Lynch Syndrome. 

Did you know that all national clinical and non clinical trials can be found on the homepage. If your trial is not up there email contact@thisisgo.ie

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Gastric and duodenal cancer in individuals with Lynch syndrome: a nationwide cohort study

The benefit of EGD surveillance in individuals with Lynch syndrome is still a topic of debate.

Considering the invasive nature of the procedure, the patients’ burden, and—albeit small–the risks associated with conscious sedation and the procedure itself, it is essential to provide EGD surveillance only to individuals at high risk of developing GC and DC who could benefit from this procedure. 

https://www.thelancet.com/journals/eclinm/article/PIIS2589-5370(24)00073-7/fulltext#secsectitle0095

What is DNA Methylation?

Researchers have linked abnormal DNA methylation to several adverse outcomes, including human diseases.

So far, much of this research has been focused on cancer and tumour suppressor genes, since hypermethylation often results in the silencing of tumour suppressor genes in cancerous cells.

Compared to normal cells, the genomes in cancer cells have also been shown to be hypomethylated over all, with hypermethylation only occurring in the genes involved in tumour cell invasion, cell cycle control, DNA repair and other processes where silencing would lead to the spread of cancer.

In colon cancer, it is possible to detect hypermethylation early on in the course of disease, meaning hypermethylation may serve as a biomarker for the condition.

https://www.news-medical.net/life-sciences/What-is-DNA-Methylation.aspx

The decision regarding the multiple approaches to rectal cancer can be very challenging:

Summary

The NCCN Rectal Cancer Panel believes that a multidisciplinary approach, including representation from gastroenterology, medical oncology, surgical oncology/colorectal surgery, radiation oncology, pathology, and radiology, is necessary for treating patients with rectal cancer.

Patients with very-early-stage tumours that are T1, N0 and who meet carefully defined criteria can be managed with ESD or transanal local excision. A transabdominal resection is appropriate for other rectal lesions. A TNT approach, traditionally consisting of chemoRT/short-course RT and chemotherapy, is preferred when RT is being given.

However, ongoing clinical trials for rectal cancer are particularly focused on treatment approaches that omit surgery or RT, with the goal of improving outcomes for eligible patients. Careful surveillance is necessary to detect and manage recurrences in a prompt and effective manner.

https://jnccn.org/view/journals/jnccn/22/6/article-p366.xml

Click to access rectal.pdf