What is lynch syndrome ? This is a hereditary pathology, indicating a person's predisposition to the disease of colon cancer and some other types of cancer.
There are other pathologies that increase the risk of cancer, but the analyzed condition seems to be the most dangerous and the most common. According to rough statistics, every three patients out of a hundred cases of colon cancer suffer from Lynch syndrome. The syndrome is transmitted from generation to generation.
Symptoms
This pathology does not manifest itself in any way - symptomatology is always absent. You can suspect a violation for the following circumstances:
- colon cancer, which developed at a relatively early age (before reaching the age of fifty);
- data on cases of colon cancer at a relatively early age, preserved in a family history;
- information about cases of uterine cancer (endometrial cancer) in a family history;
- family history evidence of the incidence of other types of cancer that are related to the above pathologies (cancer of the ovaries, kidneys, stomach, small intestine, liver, sweat glands, etc.).
If you are afraid to discover Lynch syndrome, the causes, symptoms and necessary diagnostic measures should be discussed with a specialist. See your doctor if you suspect a pathology, or if your close relative is diagnosed with this condition.
Causes
Lynch syndrome is transmitted in an autosomal dominant manner. This means that if there is a mutated gene in one parent, the mutation is likely to be transmitted to every child by 50%. The risk of transmission of pathology in no way depends on the gender of the parent or child.
How genetic mutations cause cancer
Genes that carry Lynch syndrome in their normal state are responsible for correcting errors in the genetic code. Otherwise, they are called the genes responsible for the correction of unpaired bases.
Genes contain DNA that transmits instructions for every chemical process in the body. As cells grow and divide, they copy their DNA and sometimes trigger minor errors.
Normal cells have special mechanisms for recognizing and correcting errors. However, people who have inherited pathological signs lack the ability to correct these minor cellular changes. The accumulation of such errors leads to an increase in genetic damage within the cells, and as a result, these cells become malignant.
Treatment
Cancer of the colon and other organs associated with Lynch syndrome is treated in the same way as conventional cancer. Most often, therapy involves a surgical operation to remove the affected organ. Typically, this is the colon or ovaries and uterus. If you are a woman and you have been diagnosed with Lynch’s syndrome, doctors may suggest that you remove the internal genital organs as soon as you give birth to the desired number of children. Preventive measures in the form of surgical intervention are a proven effective method of preventing death from cancer.
Prevention
Take control of your own health by taking appropriate measures:
- Follow the principles of proper nutrition, eat more fruits and vegetables. Choose different fruits so that the menu is always full. Choose whole grains whenever possible.
- Exercise regularly. Try to devote at least thirty minutes to sports - if not every day, then at least five days a week. If you have not shown any particular physical activity before, discuss this issue with your doctor. Start with the easiest activities, such as walking or cycling.
- Watch your weight. A healthy diet and regular exercise will help maintain normal weight. If you are obese, talk with a specialist who can prescribe the best weight loss program for you. The best way is to eat less calorie foods and at the same time increase the amount of physical activity. Strive to lose weight by half a kilogram or kilogram per week.
- Stop smoking. Smoking increases the risk of developing several types of cancer, as well as other serious diseases. According to some studies, cigarettes can provoke the development of colon cancer in patients with Lynch syndrome.
Follow the simple rules of a healthy lifestyle, and you will significantly reduce the risk of pathology.