In America almost 160,000 people are diagnosed with Colon cancer every year, of thisalmost 3% people are found to have an inherited condition which is called LynchSyndrome. This condition causes abnormalities in genes which repair the DNA of bodycells. Over a long period of time if this damage remains unchecked then it leads tocancer. A person who has Lynch syndrome has high probability of developing coloncancer, this often happens at a very young age i.e. before 50. With Lynch syndrome isassociated the risk of developing tumor in uterus, ovaries, stomach, liver and kidney. Dr.Uri Ladabaum, who headed the new study, said that, presently families that are affectedby Lynch Syndrome are identified by clinical suspicion. For instance, if a person has anumber of relatives who suffered from colon cancer or some one in relation developedcolon cancer at a very young age then the doctors might suspect Lynch Syndrome.
Medical Treatment
Dr.Ladabaum also directs the gastrointestinal cancer prevention program at StanfordUniversity in California. Dr. Uri says that the current approach might miss many familiesaffected with Lynch Syndrome. A more systematic approach will help in betterdiagnosis. All the patients with colon cancer should be tested for any abnormalities. If atumor gives positive test results, then the patients can go for the further tests for detectingany mutation in the genes, this will confirm the diagnosis. From this point, all the closefamily members can also be tested. They can then take steps to detect cancer at an earlystage or prevent it. Colonoscopy helps in detecting tumors at an early stage and alsohelps to prevent cancer by detecting polyps, which are pre-cancerous growths.
The newstudy has been published in the journal Annals of Internal Medicine. The research teamused a computerized model to find the most cost effective method to detect Lynchsyndrome. They found out that first testing the tumors and then going for genetic testswas the most costly method. Dr. Ladabaum says that the evidences strongly prove theneed of a systematic way to identify families with Lynch syndrome. Dr. Randall W. Burtsays, that it is both medically and with the respect to incurred appropriate to screen alltissues which are affected with colon cancer. Both Dr. Ladabaum and Dr. Burt suggestthat if someone believes that they have a family history of colon cancer then they mustconsult their doctors about it.
