Blog

Does Colon Cancer run in YOUR Family?

The genetic risk for colon and rectal cancer.

  • The risk of developing colorectal cancer increases 2-3 times when a parent, sibling, or child is diagnosed compared to those with no family history.
  • The risk increases 3-6 times over the general population, when a relative is diagnosed at a young age or if there is more than one relative with colorectal cancer.
  • About 20% of all colorectal cancer patients have a close relative who was also diagnosed with the disease.
  • About 5% of patients with colorectal cancer have a well-defined genetic syndrome that causes the disease like Lynch syndrome or familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP).  These conditions are linked with higher risks for colon and other cancers.
  • Lynch syndrome accounts for 2- 4% of all colorectal cancer cases.
  • FAP is the second most common predisposing genetic syndrome; for these individuals, lifetime risk of colorectal cancer approaches 100% without intervention.
Genetics

20-year-old patient: You’re never too young to get colorectal cancer

“I learned the reason right after my diagnosis: genetic testing showed I have Lynch syndrome. It’s a hereditary condition that makes me more likely to develop multiple cancers over my lifetime. I am the first person in my family to have it.”

How having Lynch syndrome has helped me

“If there’s anything good to be said about having Lynch syndrome, it’s probably that it made me eligible to participate in a clinical trial …” 

https://www.mdanderson.org/cancerwise/20-year-old-patient–you-re-never-too-young-to-get-colorectal-cancer.h00-159538956.html

If you have been avoiding your colonoscopy because the prep makes you nervous, check out this blog (and stop delaying)!

How to Make Your Colonoscopy Prep “Not Suck”

“An Individual Doesn’t Get Cancer, a Family Does”

“I had always assumed that this type of potentially life-saving information would be openly shared within the family. And that the individual’s doctors would alert other family members as well. Naively, I had believed the “duty to warn” applied to genetic cancer risks.“

https://www.facingourrisk.org/blog/an-individual-doesnt-get-cancer-a-family-does

Risk-stratified faecal immunochemical testing (FIT) for urgent colonoscopy in Lynch syndrome during the COVID-19 pandemic

Lynch syndrome is a hereditary cancer disease resulting in an increased risk of colorectal cancer. Findings are reported from an emergency clinical service implemented during the COVID-19 pandemic utilising faecal immunochemical testing (‘FIT’) in Lynch syndrome patients to prioritise colonoscopy while endoscopy services were limited.

Fifteen centres participated from June 2020 to March 2021. Uptake was 68.8 per cent amongst 558 patients invited.

Conclusion

FIT demonstrated clinical value for Lynch syndrome patients requiring colorectal cancer surveillance …. Further longitudinal investigation on FIT efficacy in Lynch syndrome is warranted and will be examined under the ‘FIT for Lynch’ study (ISRCTN15740250).

https://academic.oup.com/bjsopen/article/7/5/zrad079/7260320?login=false

AliveAndKickn Podcast – Dr Jose Perea 

“I talk with Dr Jose Perea Garcia, Digestive Surgeon as well as cancer researcher in Madrid.  We talk about how surgery has evolved and management of the Lynch Syndrome patient compared to sporadic cases.  We compare some protocols and coverage in the US vs elsewhere such as Spain where there is government run.  Urban vs rural is an issue everywhere.  I convince Dr Garcia to offer me a ticket to an Atletico Madrid game if I get there, including if they play Real Madrid.” 

https://www.aliveandkickn.org/podcast-1/episode/26556485/aliveandkickn-podcast-dr-jose-perea-garcia

Cancer Biobank

The Cancer Biobank is a collection of clinical samples used in research to study how cancer develops and progresses and responds to treatment.

Engaging the patient voice in our work, and communicating our research to the public is vital to developing relevant research and education programmes. 

The Cancer Centre works with cancer charities, patient advocacy groups, and scientific public education initiatives to acheive this. 

https://cancerbiobank.focusgames.com