Blog

Nurses in 26 cancer treatment centres proving a valuable resource

Covid silver lining: Establishment of countrywide network to help chemo patients set for 24/7

Until a few years ago, cancer patients at home and receiving chemotherapy or other therapies had few options. Their default was to head for their local hospital emergency department (ED), there to face long delays and the risk of cross-infection from other patients waiting to be seen.

The service, introduced during an emergency when it was vitally important to keep EDs free for Covid patients and to keep vulnerable patients with other conditions away from a new virus, has proved to be a resounding success.

https://www.irishtimes.com/health/2023/04/24/nurses-in-26-cancer-treatment-centres-proving-a-valuable-resourse/

GE Notes – Lynch Syndrome

Genomic Notes for Clinicians

Page contents:

https://www.genomicseducation.hee.nhs.uk/genotes/knowledge-hub/lynch-syndrome/

Lynch Syndrome information

It covers the following:

Lynch Syndrome information

Is There a Lynch Syndrome Vaccine on the Way?

Lynch Syndrome, a genetic condition affecting around 1 million Americans annually, increases a person’s risk of developing colorectal cancer (CRC) to 20% – 80%.

As a result, Lynch Syndrome patients must complete yearly preventive screenings. However, developing a Lynch Syndrome vaccine could change the narrative for patients, reducing screenings and – more importantly – lowering risks for Lynch Syndrome-related cancers. 

“The advances in vaccine technologies, such as Lynch Syndrome, is a promising field of research that has the potential to reduce the risk of developing cancer, thereby preventing disease and modifying surveillance regimens for high-risk patients,” said David Fenstermacher, Senior Director of Research & Medical Affairs at the Colorectal Cancer Alliance.

https://www.ccalliance.org/blog/research/is-there-lynch-syndrome-vaccine

Carpe Diem A Little Harder After a Skin Cancer Scare

“…this lesion was positive for “the ugly duckling” sign as it was significantly darker than my other moles”

https://www2.curetoday.com/view/carpe-diem-a-little-harder-after-a-skin-cancer-scare

Lynch Syndrome

Key Points

  •  Lynch syndrome is a rare, inherited condition that increases your risk of developing bowel cancer and sometimes other cancers. 
  • Lynch Syndrome accounts for about 3% of all bowel cancer.  
  • Regular bowel screening by colonoscopy can prevent bowel cancers developing.  
  • Bowel Screening usually starts from the age of 25 years and is performed on a yearly basis.  
  • People with Lynch Syndrome are also at increased risk of developing certain other cancers such as uterine (womb), urinary tract, ovary and small bowel.  
  • Women should consider screening of the uterus and ovaries from the age of 30-35 years.  
  • Genetic testing is available for families with this syndrome.  
  • When you have Lynch Syndrome, each of your children have a 1 in 2 (50%) chance of inheriting it.  

https://www.nzfgcs.co.nz/Syndromes/Lynch-Syndrome

FREE cookbook

Spring has officially sprung but that doesn’t mean we can’t sit down and enjoy some tasty and healthy tomato soup! Head over to our website for the full FREE cookbook, designed and written by registered dietitians!

👉
Healthy Eating for Cancer Survivors

The ins and outs and ups and downs of a colonoscopy

Having experienced aprox 15 colonoscopies during which polyps were removed I can confirm that they were all painless procedures.

https://bit.ly/3lWzc80

Mainstreaming genetics and genomics – Is it Possible in Ireland?

Genetic and genomic health information increasingly informs routine clinical care and treatment.

Building the capacity of the current and next generation of nurses and physicians to integrate genetics and genomics into usual clinical practice is essential if opportunities afforded by precision medicine are to be fully realised.

https://www.gimjournal.org/article/S1098-3600(21)01181-3/fulltext

Acquired vs. Inherited Mutations in Cancer: What You Need to Know 

An example of an inherited risk of cancer is Lynch syndrome. A person with Lynch syndrome has an elevated risk of colorectal, endometrial, stomach, ovarian, urinary tract, other intestinal cancers, and additional cancers.

The increased risk is due to a mutation in one of several genes that fix mistakes made when DNA is copied. These genes are called DNA mismatch repair genes. The body has many mechanisms that work hard to prevent DNA copying errors and protect against cancer.

When one of those mechanisms is disabled by mutations, cancer is more likely to occur and at a younger age.

Acquired vs. Inherited Mutations in Cancer: What You Need to Know