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Lynch Syndrome UK | Raising awareness, Saving lives
Families saved from cancer – NICE recommend all patients with bowel cancer are tested for Lynch Syndrome
On
Friday 21st October, the National Institute for Health and Care
Excellence announced draft guidance recommending that everyone who is
diagnosed with bowel cancer should be tested for Lynch syndrome. Lynch
syndrome (LS) is a genetic condition that increases the risk of bowel
cancer and several other cancers including uterus and ovary.
Approximately
175,000 people in the UK have Lynch syndrome but 95% of them do not
know they have it. It is hoped that by checking all patients who have
bowel cancer for LS, many new families will be identified to enable them
to have screening to prevent people getting cancer. People with LS
have a 50% chance of passing on their gene mutation to each child so the
more new families that can be identified, the more help can be given to
keep such families cancer-free.
Lynch
Syndrome UK is the only UK based registered charity which provides
support and advice to people with Lynch syndrome and was part of the
NICE team that developed the draft guidance. The consultation document
from NICE is the first step that brings this very important issue to the
attention of the public. We hope that many more people will be
identified as a result of this initiative and genetic counselling will
be offered to their families.
Pauline Skarrott (retired GP) , Trustee of Lynch Syndrome UK and part of the NICE group who developed the guidance said today,
'This
draft guidance is greatly welcomed by the families who are part of
Lynch Syndrome UK. Lives will be saved and future generations
protected. One of our charity's main aims is to raise awareness of
Lynch Syndrome and we believe this guidance will go a long way in
achieving this. We will continue to support NICE and other
organisations to improve the outcomes for our families. The final
guidance will be published in January 2017.'
Contact number for media enquiries: Helen Bufton/Tracy Smith Tel: 07977 907135 /07792502125
Lynch Syndrome UK
Charity No: 116180
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