Lynch Syndrome Awareness Day focuses on raising hereditary colorectal cancer syndromes awareness: 4 key notes

March 22, 2017 was the first official National Lynch Syndrome Awareness Day focused on increasing awareness of hereditary colorectal cancer syndromes.

Here's what you should know.

1. American College of Gastroenterology President Carol Burke, MD, specializes in hereditary colorectal cancer syndromes.

2. Dr. Burke said approximately 1 million Americans live with Lynch Syndrome. Estimates find as many as 500,000 carriers have no idea they are at risk.

3. Lynch Syndrome accounts for up to five percent of colorectal cancer cases and up to 15 percent of colorectal cancer patients under 50-years-old. It is also the most common inherited cause of endometrial cancer causing up to three percent of all endometrial cancers.

4. Dr. Burke said in a release, "Prevention of the occurrence and death from some of these cancers due to Lynch Syndrome is possible with recognition of the syndrome and preventive strategies, such as colonoscopy and prophylactic surgery."

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