Lynch cancer syndrome is as common as BRCA1/2 yet is under-diagnosed

"Keys to identifying Lynch syndrome"

http://www.contemporaryobgyn.net/gynecologic-cancers/keys-identifying-lynch-syndrome

“Lynch syndrome is an autosomal-dominant hereditary cancer syndrome that has the same incidence in the general population as the BRCA1/2gene cancer syndrome: 1 in 400 people. Lynch syndrome is not rare, and yet it is under-diagnosed, only about 5% of Lynch syndrome carriers have been identified. The predominant risk associated is colon cancer.

Lynch syndrome is caused by a mutation in a DNA mismatch repair pathway.

Usually, our healthy genes can detect mistaken genes and repair them as they are growing and multiplying. However, with Lynch syndrome, the healthy cells cannot repair the errant cells, and the body continues to make more flawed cells, which will lead to a cancer.

A study from MD Anderson in 2005 reported that up to 71% of women identified as having Lynch syndrome will acquire endometrial cancer (20% risk by age 50) and 12% will acquire ovarian cancer. For these women, mean age at diagnosis of colorectal cancer was 40 and at diagnosis of endometrial or ovarian cancer was 44.

Obstet Gynecol. 2005;105:569-574

A woman who presents with abnormal uterine bleeding and has a family history of colorectal cancer could be at risk for having Lynch syndrome, particularly if the affected member is younger than age 50. Taking a careful cancer family history is the most effective way for a clinician to evaluate a patient for risk of having Lynch syndrome. Ordering a hereditary cancer screen that will test for multiple cancer syndromes at one time is now the standard of care.

Once a patient with Lynch syndrome has completed childbearing, it is appropriate to counsel her to consider a prophylactic hysterectomy and bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy”.

 Lynch syndrome. Because you deserve to know.