If you have Lynch syndrome you have a higher risk of getting some types of cancer. The type depends on the gene affected.
Your genetic counsellor or healthcare team will give you information about this.
They can help you plan how to reduce your risk of certain cancers.
They may recommend that you:
- learn about the signs and symptoms of the cancers you are at higher risk of getting
- have tests to find cancer before it develops or find it at an early stage (surveillance)
- have surgery to reduce your risk of ovarian or endometrial cancer (cancer that starts in the lining of your womb)
- take medicine to reduce your risk of cancer
- learn about general cancer signs and symptoms to find it at an early stage
- make lifestyle changes to reduce your risk of cancer in general
Bowel cancer risk
Most people with Lynch syndrome have a higher risk of getting bowel cancer. Bowel cancer is also known as colon cancer, rectal cancer or colorectal cancer.
There are things you can do to reduce your chances of getting bowel cancer or to find it at an early stage.
Signs and symptoms
You need to know and look out for the signs and symptoms of bowel cancer.
Urgent advice: Contact your GP if:
- you have any bowel cancer symptoms
Do this even if you have had a recent colonoscopy.
Endometrial cancer risk
If you have Lynch syndrome you may have a gene change that increases your risk of getting endometrial cancer, a type of womb cancer.
There are things you can do to reduce your risk of getting endometrial cancer or to help find it at an early stage.
Signs and symptoms
You need to know and check for the signs and symptoms of endometrial cancer.
Urgent advice: Contact your GP if:
you have symptoms of:
Surgery
You may consider having surgery to reduce your risk of endometrial cancer. If your womb, ovaries and fallopian tubes are removed, cancer cannot develop in them. Your fallopian tubes are the tubes that connect your ovaries and womb.
The types of surgery are:
- total hysterectomy - to remove the womb and cervix (neck of the womb)
- total hysterectomy with bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy - to remove the womb, cervix, fallopian tubes (salpingectomy) and ovaries (oophorectomy)
The recommended surgery depends on your age, family history and gene change you have.
Your decision to have risk-reducing surgery may depend on whether you plan to have children or to have more children. Talk to your healthcare team about this.
Ovarian cancer risk
If you have Lynch syndrome you may have a gene change that increases your risk of getting ovarian cancer.
There are things you can do to reduce your risk of getting ovarian cancer or to help find it at an early stage.
Signs and symptoms
You need to know and check for the signs and symptoms of ovarian cancer.
Urgent advice: Contact your GP if:
you have symptoms of:
Surgery
You may consider having surgery to reduce your risk of ovarian cancer. If your womb, ovaries and fallopian tubes are removed, cancer cannot develop in them. Your fallopian tubes are the tubes that connect your ovaries and womb.
The types of surgery are:
- total hysterectomy - to remove the womb and cervix (neck of the womb)
- total hysterectomy with bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy - to remove the womb, cervix, fallopian tubes (salpingectomy) and ovaries (oophorectomy)
The recommended surgery depends on your age, family history and gene change you have.
Your decision to have risk-reducing surgery may depend on whether you plan to have children or to have more children. Talk to your healthcare team about this.
Stomach cancer risk
You may have a family history of cancer of the stomach. There are things you can do to reduce your chances of getting stomach cancer or to find it at an early stage.
Your healthcare team will give you information about the signs and symptoms.
Rare skin cancer risk
You have a higher risk of developing skin tumours if you have a type of Lynch syndrome called Muir Torré syndrome (MTS). It is rare.
Your healthcare team will give you information about the signs and symptoms.
Urgent advice: Contact your GP:
if you have any concerns about new or changing growths, bumps or spots on your skin
