This diagnosis is a reminder that this is the life you’ve got. And you’re not getting another one. Whatever has happened, you have to take this life and treasure and protect it. ~Elizabeth Edwards

The Diagnosis Process

The first process toward diagnosis is to research and document a thorough family medical history. The Office of the United States Surgeon General has a computerized program for the convenience of individuals to complete.  It can be printed and provided to our care providers for assessment of not only Lynch syndrome but all hereditary disorders.  As well, the program has the capability to upload the documented family history directly to his/her medical record.

Be sure and take a thorough family history, asking detailed questions.  Find out if there were any hysterectomies or any biopsies taken and from where.  Were there any hospitalizations and for what?  For those who passed away from cancers, see if you can get a copy of their medical records or death certificate.

If the family history reveals three family members who have sustained what appear to be Lynch cancers, (colon, ovarian, endometrial, prostate, gastric tract, pancreatic, ureter, heptobiliary tract, renal pelvic, skin and brain) two of the individuals which are directly related to the third, and one who is under the age of fifty years old, it is quite possible the family members may be at high risk for Lynch syndrome.  This criteria is what is known as the Revised Amsterdam criteria. 

This criteria is only accurate in less than fifty percent of all families that have Lynch syndrome and is also often not indicated with those who have the MSH-6.  There are many families in which Lynch syndrome cancers evolve following the age of fifty and recent studies indicate an average age of 56 years when cancer occurs.  There are small families in which it is difficult to find this pattern.  Therefore, try to expand your family history as detailed and as far back as possible.

As stated above, in order to protect one's self and one's family, it is important to discuss Lynch syndrome with the family physician who may or may not prescribe consultation with a genetic counselor.  A genetic counselor is a very valuable resource who can determine the appropriate test for an individual in the event the physician is uncertain about Lynch syndrome testing.

Dependent upon that assessment, blood may be drawn and collected for genetic testing or you may be asked to donate DNA by rubbing the inside of your check with a swab (saliva test)  If genetic testing cannot be afforded, resources (see Menu for "Support") are available in many parts of the world to assist with costs.  If a mutation is specifically identified with a family member, the cost of genetic testing is substantially reduced for that specific mutation.

If an individual has sustained colorectal, endometrial cancer or any other Lynch cancer and has been diagnosed with Lynch syndrome, that individual is referred to as a "Survivor." Prior to the diagnosis of Lynch syndrome, the tumor of the survivor may have been submitted for MSI testing or IHC testing.  This process is basically a pathology test of the cancer to determine if characteristics of Lynch syndrome exist within it. If those characteristics are identified, guidelines dictate the physician will refer the survivor for genetic testing or consultation with a genetic counselor for consideration of genetic testing of Lynch syndrome. Several major medical associations are calling for universal MSI -IHC testing of ALL colon and endometrial cancer tumors as a basic standard of care.

If an individual has not sustained a Lynch cancer and has been diagnosed with Lynch syndrome, that person is referred to as a "Previvor." This means the diagnosed individual is at high risk for Lynch cancers and will need to participate in annual surveillance testing in the same manner as is afforded to survivors, in order to detect tumors before they become cancerous or metastasize into the body.

This annual surveillance and management for Lynch syndrome is a gift as early detection of cancers allows us to obtain early intervention through early treatment of the cancer or removal of polyps before they become cancerous and often before the cancer becomes life threatening.  It is the closest thing to a cure, for us.