LYNCH SYNDROME-PREVENTING CANCER DEATHS

The Lynch Syndrome is the biggest player among all hereditary colon cancers. There are many hereditary cancer syndromes that have been discovered, and the Lynch Syndrome is one. Of the individuals that are known to have hereditary colon cancer, 80-90% of them are patients with the Lynch Syndrome. The gene(s) responsible for the development of cancer has been described. 

 
At present the Lynch Syndrome is a major killer. It causes cancer and death more than any other hereditary colon cancer syndrome. It causes death to more people than any other hereditary cancer syndrome – more than breast cancer, lung cancer or prostate cancer. Approximately 3000 people in the United States each year die of colon cancer caused by the Lynch Syndrome.

 
Deaths due to colon cancer caused by the Lynch Syndrome are almost completely preventable. Proper surveillance reduces the number who develop colon cancer. When cancer does occur it can be treated and cured, completely cured. Colon cancer death for Lynch Syndrome patients should become a rarity.

 
A crusade of detection of the Lynch Syndrome is the first step in reducing the deaths. Genetic counseling of every cancer patient who has a family aggregation begins the process. Identifying high-risk patients by cancer registry database searches extends the detection net. DNA search for mutations in high-risk members/families is the next step. Careful management and follow-up completes the process. That is all there is to it. Simple. What is taking us so long?