We’re delighted to share more good news about how 40tude’s support is helping to transform the early detection of colon cancer.

A research paper by St. Mark’s Professor Kevin Monahan and his pioneering collaborators has been published in the International Journal of Cancer, reporting that new diagnoses of Lynch Syndrome in England have increased by 255% in just four years, with over 10,000 patients recorded, as a result of the English NHS Lynch Syndrome Transformation Project.
 
Lynch Syndrome is a genetic disease that that significantly increases the lifetime risk of developing cancer.  Most people with Lynch Syndrome (LS) are well, but someone with LS has a 40-70% chance of developing colon cancer, and women also have a similar risk of cancer of the womb.  All those with LS have an increased risk of many other types of cancer.  As the genetic mutations responsible for this syndrome can be passed from one generation to the next - with a 50% chance of inheritance - early identification is essential.  Many people with LS are unaware that they have this condition, although there may be a family history of cancer.
 
St. Mark’s Hospital established the UK’s first specialist Lynch Syndrome Clinic, and 40tude is proud to have funded a key component of this ground-breaking project: the National Lynch Syndrome Registry. This registry provides an efficient, coordinated system of identifying people with LS and ensuring that they are invited for regular, personalised check‑ups at the right intervals. It is a vital tool in preventing cancer before it develops.
 
Congratulating Kevin and the whole research team on their work on the Lynch Registry and genetic testing programme, Jason Bacon, the CEO of St. Mark’s Hospital Foundation, said:

“Finding people who have Lynch Syndrome is the first step in personalised screening pathways for cancer prevention. The increase in the rate of diagnosis is testament to the success of this programme.  Thank you 40tude for your transformational support for the St. Mark's Hospital element of the work.”