5 Things to Know About Lynch Syndrome

• If colorectal cancer runs in your family, you might wonder whether you will be affected too. Knowing your Lynch syndrome status can provide important clues — and get you started on the path to protecting your health.  

  Lynch syndrome is the most commonly inherited cancer syndrome that raises a person's risk for colorectal cancer. Also called hereditary non-polyposis colorectal cancer (HNPCC), it is caused by a mutation of certain genes that can be passed on from parents to children.  

  Here's more about the condition, plus whether you should talk with your doctor about getting tested.  

  1. Lynch syndrome raises colorectal cancer risk

  Lynch syndrome occurs when a person has a mutation in one of their mismatch repair (or MMR) genes. MMR genes normally help fix damaged DNA in cells. But when an MMR gene becomes mutated, it can no longer do its job effectively. As a result, DNA damage can go unrepaired — which could lead to the development of cancerous cells.

  Having Lynch syndrome does not guarantee that a person will get colorectal cancer. But it increases their risk by 10% to 80%, depending on which MMR gene is mutated.  

  Colorectal cancers caused by Lynch syndrome also tend to develop earlier, often before a person turns 50.

  2. Lynch syndrome is linked to other cancers

  Lynch syndrome can raise a person's risk for other types of cancers too. In addition to colorectal cancer, other Lynch syndrome-related cancers include:

  • Uterine (endometrial) cancer
  • Ovarian cancer
  • Stomach (gastric) cancer
  • Cancer of the small intestine
  • Urinary tract (renal pelvis, ureter, bladder) cancers
  • Biliary tract (gallbladder, bile duct) cancers
  • Pancreatic cancer
  • Prostate cancer
  • Brain cancer (rare)
  • Certain types of skin cancers such as sebaceous cancers and keratoacanthomas

  3. Symptoms start in adulthood  

  Although Lynch syndrome is inherited, people with the condition don't typically experience symptoms until adulthood. The most common symptoms include:  

  • Abdominal pain that may feel like a pricking, throbbing, or aching
  • Constipation
  • Fatigue
  • Bleeding in the digestive tract
  • Difficulty absorbing certain nutrients
  • Weight loss

  4. Lynch syndrome can run in families

  The MMR mutation that causes Lynch syndrome is passed down from biological parent to child. So, if you have one or more relatives with colorectal cancer, or another of the LS tumors listed above, especially a first-degree relative like a parent, brother, or sister, you should let your doctor know.  

  Having colorectal cancer or a LS tumor in your family does not necessarily mean that you have Lynch syndrome. That is where genetic testing, which can tell you if you carry a mutated MMR gene, can come in. You and your doctor can decide whether you are a candidate based on your family history and other factors, including your personal health history.  

  5. Knowing you have Lynch syndrome can help you lower your cancer risk

  If you are diagnosed with Lynch syndrome, you can take steps to protect yourself from cancer by getting screened earlier or more often. For instance, your doctor may advise you to begin colonoscopy screenings in your early 20s and get screened every one to two years, or to have your ovaries removed once you are finished having children, or to consider taking aspirin to prevent LS. More screening and prevention mean more opportunities to catch and/or prevent suspicious growths sooner when they may be easier to remove or treat.

  You and your doctor can also discuss other ways you may be able to lower your cancer risk — something Fox Chase doctors are researching. Staying at a healthy weight, getting regular exercise, and limiting or avoiding alcohol can make a difference.  

  Want to learn more about your risk factors? The Risk Assessment Program at Fox Chase can help you understand your risk for Lynch syndrome-related cancers and take steps to lower it. Call 888-369-2427 or request an appointment online.