Lynch syndrome increases your chances of getting cancer, but it is not a type of cancer.
Lynch syndrome is a genetic condition - it is caused by a gene change (variant) in 1 of these genes:
- MLH1
- MSH2
- MSH6
- PMS2
- EPCAM
The type of gene change that causes Lynch syndrome is a pathogenic variant. This means that the gene change may lead to or increase the risk of a condition - such as cancer.
Lynch syndrome used to be called hereditary non-polyposis colorectal cancer (HNPCC). You may see this name in older information.
Who can get Lynch syndrome
Lynch syndrome is inherited - the gene change passes from parent to child.
You have a 1 in 2 chance of inheriting the gene change if a parent has Lynch syndrome.
If you have Lynch syndrome, there is also a 1 in 2 chance that you will pass the gene change to your children.
It's estimated that about 1 in 280 people worldwide have Lynch syndrome. But most people do not know they have it. It is diagnosed by having a genetic test.
Lynch syndrome and cancer risk
Everyone has some risk of getting cancer - 1 in 2 people will develop some type of cancer during their lifetime.
If you have Lynch syndrome you are more likely to get certain types of cancer. You are also more likely to get these cancers at a younger age or more than once.
The cancers you are at a higher risk of getting depends on:
- which gene is affected
- your family history of cancer
- your age and sex
Lynch syndrome can cause:
- bowel cancer
- endometrial cancer - the most common type of cancer of the womb (uterus)
You may also have a higher risk of cancer of the:
- ovary
- prostate
- small bowel
- stomach
- pancreas
- gall bladder or biliary duct
- kidney, urinary tract and bladder
- brain
- skin
Not everyone with Lynch syndrome will get cancer.
How to reduce your risk of cancer if you have Lynch syndrome
How certain gene changes increase your cancer risk
A cell with DNA damage can lead to a cancer. But some genes protect us from getting cancer by repairing our DNA if it is damaged.
If you inherit a change to one of the genes that causes Lynch syndrome the gene cannot repair the cells properly. This means DNA damage can build up and cause cancer.
