Lynch Syndrome

[Kenzie0104]

Hi Guys!

I am currently 21 years old. When I was 19 I had a precancerous polyp removed from my colon. My doctor told me not to worry too much about it, but to definitely get checked on every 5 years. At the time I had no family history of colon cancer, just breast cancer. This summer, my Dad (46 yrs old) was diagnosed with Stage 4 Colon Cancer (no symptoms or signs). Because of my grandma having breast cancer, they wanted to do genetic testing. They both have the FAP Gene (I'm not too familiar with it, but I'm doing my research). I informed my doctor as well, and he wants to make sure I do not have Lynch Syndrome, so I'm getting another colonoscopy in a few weeks .

Coping with my Dad having cancer is really hard, but I'm having anxiety attacks just because my Dad's doctors are pushing genetic testing and talking about the possibility of Lynch Syndrome.
Should I be this concerned right now though? I guess I just need some advice.

Thanks in advance!

[rockhound]

Hi Guys!

I am currently 21 years old. When I was 19 I had a precancerous polyp removed from my colon. My doctor told me not to worry too much about it, but to definitely get checked on every 5 years. At the time I had no family history of colon cancer, just breast cancer. This summer, my Dad (46 yrs old) was diagnosed with Stage 4 Colon Cancer (no symptoms or signs). Because of my grandma having breast cancer, they wanted to do genetic testing. They both have the FAP Gene (I'm not too familiar with it, but I'm doing my research). I informed my doctor as well, and he wants to make sure I do not have Lynch Syndrome, so I'm getting another colonoscopy in a few weeks .

Coping with my Dad having cancer is really hard, but I'm having anxiety attacks just because my Dad's doctors are pushing genetic testing and talking about the possibility of Lynch Syndrome.
Should I be this concerned right now though? I guess I just need some advice.

Thanks in advance!

If you know you are Lynch positive (or FAP) you can get screened annually so if any polyps do appear, they can in theory get taken out on those screening colonoscopies. Plus you are at risk for a number of other cancers that can also be evaluated- early detection usually equals better long term results. If I would have known I was Lynch positive, I'm certain a colonoscopy would have caught my polyp early before it became cancerous (and was caught via colonoscopy I pushed for exactly a year ago). Some people don't want to know all that, but I personally would. Same with FAP- from what I understand that can lead to potentially 100's of polyps. Anyway, I would recommend the genetic testing and also the colonoscopy.

[KimT]

I have lynch. Here is the silver lining with lynch. While the incidence of cancer is higher, survivability is better due to early detection. Catching cancer early can be the difference in living and dying. I’ve had cancer twice. My second cancer was ovarian and was caught early. If we didn’t know to be looking for it, I might not be here as ovarian cancer has nearly zero symptoms until it has reached a late stage. You should be tested. If you have it, you need to stay on top of checkups. You may never even get colon cancer if you have any polyps removed before they cause any problems.

[kkjenkins]

Almost three years ago i went through a genetic testing as I had precancerous colon sessiles. My father had colon cancer at 35 yr., and his brother died of it at the age of 48. I thought for sure I would be positive for lynch but it was negative. Last year I was diagnosed with breast cancer stage IIA. I still think I have a mutation but, just don't know of what gene type! I am currently having huge anxiety as i have a colonoscopy and a mammogram in April 2018.

[DarknessEmbraced]

I'm sorry for your Dad and Grandma's diagnosis!*hugs* I hope your colonoscopy goes well and that you won't have Lynch Syndrome!*hugs*

[henry123]

Stay strong and stoically accept whatever fate you have been dealt either ways .
If you don't have Lynch , great. Just try to improve your lifestyle and use it as a wakeup call.
If you know you have Lynch , you can be on watch out for it. Also keep your insurance upto date before you test. Lastly, Lynch seems to respond better to latest immunotherapies .
So enjoy your life.
Do not measure days you live but rather life in your days.

[mymaria]

I am 100% in favor of you getting tested for Lynch. I was diagnosed with it about eight years ago following bouts with both colon and uterine cancer. These two distinct, primary cancers were found five months apart. My daughter, who is now 25, was tested when she was 18 and her test was positive. She will begin her colonoscopies in the next few years. I've always believed it's best to know if you have it-the screenings are frequent and things can get caught much earlier. I'm sorry about your father. My father too was diagnosed in his late 40's. It's a lot to handle, but (as much as this saying is overused) knowledge is power!

[veckon]

OP: You have no idea how blessed you are. Please get tested. If you are Lynch positive, you can prevent the cancer from ever developing from a polyp through routine colonoscopies.