Lynch Syndrome International, a California non-profit, tax-exempt, 501 (c) (3) charitable organization, has officially launched the “Protecting Families and Saving Lives” website, providing essential, lifesaving information on Lynch syndrome, often called hereditary nonpolyposis colorectal cancer (HNPCC), which creates a predisposition for an extremely high increased risk to a myriad of cancers.
Individuals with this syndrome face an up to 85% lifetime risk of contracting colon cancer, an up to 60% lifetime risk of contracting endometrial cancer, a high risk of contracting stomach and ovarian cancers and a higher than average risk of contracting cancer of the small intestine, liver, renal pelvis, pancreas, gallbladder ducts, upper urinary tract, brain, skin, and prostate.
Lynch syndrome related cancers strike at the young, as well as middle aged and it is believed as high as one of every five hundred persons may be affected by the mutated gene, however it is also believed less than five percent of that number have been diagnosed with the syndrome, as to date.
Diagnosis is ordinarily conducted through genetic testing, which is the closest thing to a cure available. Diagnosis offers annual surveillance testing for Lynch related cancers. With early diagnosis, most cancers are highly treatable.
The website, located at www.lynchcancers.org , provides support, resources and educational information for those diagnosed with Lynch Syndrome, those at risk for Lynch Syndrome, and those who care for them. Additionally, it provides an opportunity for organizing and networking with those diagnosed and at high risk for Lynch syndrome cancers, hereditary cancer researchers and medical treatment professionals, worldwide.
