The NHS has expanded access to its bowel cancer screening service for people with Lynch syndrome.
Lynch syndrome is an genetic condition affecting around 1 in 400 people, that increases their risk of developing several types of cancer, including bowel, ovarian and pancreatic cancers. Around 80 percent of people with Lynch syndrome will develop bowel cancer during their life.
'Incorporating people with Lynch syndrome into the national colonoscopy screening programme is game-changing and will save many lives each year' said Dr Kevin Monahan, who leads the NHS England Lynch syndrome transformation project.
The programme will offer people with Lynch syndrome colonoscopies every two years, starting from age 25 or 35 depending on the gene variant that causes their Lynch syndrome. The idea is to catch abnormal cells before cancer develops, or to diagnose tumours at an early stage, when treatment outcomes are best.
The routine colonoscopies will be offered at local bowel cancer screening centres, making it convenient for people to take part. Around 10,000 people who have been diagnosed with Lynch syndrome will start recieving invitiations to participate.
Around 175,000 people in the UK are estimated to have Lynch syndrome, although only 5 percent of them are aware that they have it. Many only find out when they, or a family member, are offered genetic testing because they already have cancer.
Nicola Theis, a university lecturer from Cheltenham, was diagnosed with Lynch syndrome after her father had bowel cancer. She said: 'being part of the screening programme gives me the confidence that any cancers that may develop can be caught earlier when they're more treatable'.
The NHS Bowel Cancer Screening Programme is the first of its kind worldwide, and was welcomed by Bowel Cancer UK's chief executive, Genevieve Edwards, who said: 'as the first country in the world to implement a programme like this we are leading the way in improving the care of people with Lynch syndrome and ultimately saving lives.'
Sources and References
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Thousands with cancer-causing condition offered life-saving NHS bowel cancer screening
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NHS expands bowel cancer screening to speed up diagnosis & improve treatment
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'Gamechanging cancer screening offered to people with Lynch syndrome in England
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'Game-changing' bowel cancer screening will be offered to 10,000 people with Lynch syndrome
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Lynch syndrome: Regular bowel cancer checks for those at highest risk
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People with genetic condition to be invited for bowel cancer screening
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