Is there a family history of cancer? Let's learn about Lynch Syndrome

Sometimes we ask ourselves, "I have a family history of cancer, so I wonder if I'm more likely to get it too." In fact, some types of cancer can be caused by genetic influences that are passed down from generation to generation. For example, Lynch Syndrome is a condition that significantly increases the risk of cancer, but is not talked about much. It's very important to be aware of this. So let's talk about it simply today.

Simply put, what is Lynch Syndrome?

Lynch syndrome is a genetic condition that is passed down from parent to child, or heredity . A person with this condition is much more likely, or at risk, to develop certain types of cancer than others.

Specifically, someone with this condition has a 40% to 80% higher chance of developing colorectal cancer by the age of 70. There is also a higher risk of developing cancer of the uterus, ovaries, and stomach. What is special about this is that cancer can develop much earlier than the normal age of cancer, perhaps in the 30s or 40s.

What is the reason for this situation?

To understand this, let's think about our bodies for a moment. Our bodies are made up of billions of cells. These cells are constantly dividing and making new cells. Think of it like making copies with a photocopy machine. When cells divide in this way, sometimes small errors occur. But fortunately, our body's DNA contains special 'mismatch repair genes' that recognize these mistakes and correct them.

A person with Lynch syndrome has a defect or error in one of these 'checker genes' . Then, when those cells divide, the other errors are not corrected, and the defective cells continue to divide, and many more defective cells begin to form in the body. Over time, these defective cells become cancerous.

If either your mother or father has this condition, you have a 50% chance of inheriting it too.

What are the symptoms that may suggest Lynch syndrome?

There are several key points that can raise concerns about this condition. If one or more of these apply to you or your family, it is very important to talk to a doctor.

How to recognize this condition?

If you or someone in your family has developed cancer and your doctor suspects that it may be due to Lynch syndrome, a small sample of the cancer may be tested. There are two main ways to do this:

• Immunohistochemistry (IHC) test: This tests for the types of proteins found in cancer cells. If the proteins produced by the 'checker genes' we talked about earlier are not present in those cells, it could be a sign of Lynch syndrome.
• Microsatellite instability (MSI) test: This directly checks for errors in the DNA of cancer cells.

If these tests confirm that you have Lynch syndrome, or if you think you are at risk because someone in your family has the condition, you can have a genetic test done on a blood sample to find out for sure whether you also have this genetic defect.

Support from a Genetic Counselor

At this point, your doctor may refer you to a genetic counselor. They will explain a lot of things to you about this.

• How Lynch syndrome is inherited in a family.
• What the results of your genetic test report mean.
• How these results affect your cancer risk.
• The probability that your children will inherit this gene from you.
• Your options to prevent cancer.

If you have Lynch syndrome, how is it managed?

The best thing to do when you know you have this condition is to go for regular screenings to check for cancer. Then, even if cancer does develop, it is much more likely to be detected at a very early stage and completely cured . For example, colon cancer can be cured in 90% of cases if detected early.

Your doctor will decide what tests you need to have and how often you need them. The tests that are usually recommended are:

• Colonoscopies: Starting at age 20-25, you may be asked to have this test every year or two. This checks for polyps or signs of cancer in the large intestine.
• Endoscopies: Starting in your 30s, this can be done every 3-5 years to examine the stomach and intestines.
• Tests for women: After age 30, tests such as a pelvic exam, transvaginal ultrasound, or uterine biopsy may be recommended every year to check the uterus and ovaries.

Some people, especially women who have had children, talk to their doctor about preventive surgery to reduce their risk of cancer. This means surgically removing the colon, uterus, or ovaries before cancer develops. This is a completely personal decision.

The importance of a healthy lifestyle

While getting regular checkups, living a healthy lifestyle also helps reduce this risk.

• Eat a diet rich in vegetables, fruits, legumes, and whole grains.
• Do regular exercise.
• Control your weight.
• Limit alcohol consumption.

Some studies have shown that taking a low-dose aspirin daily can reduce this risk, but more research is needed on this. Therefore , never start taking medication on your own without consulting your doctor.