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Coronavirus Vaccines: Best Practices for People with IBD

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People with Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD), such as Crohn’s and Ulcerative Colitis, may have questions about how they should approach coronavirus vaccines. The International Organization for the Study of Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IOIBD) recently highlighted an article titled ‘SARS-CoV-2 vaccination for patients with inflammatory bowel diseases: recommendations from an international consensus meeting.’ In this article, the organization highlights the recommendations related to coronavirus vaccines IOIBD has developed for people with IBD. Here are a few highlights:

1. People with IBD should get a coronavirus vaccine

Overall, there was broad and overwhelming agreement among IOIBD members that coronavirus vaccines are safe and necessary for people with IBD. This consensus was reached through multiple questions that explored IOIBD member opinions on the efficacy and safety of the vaccines for IBD patients.

2. People with IBD should get a coronavirus vaccine as soon as it is possible

Not only does the IOIBD recommend vaccines for people with IBD, they recommend people with IBD receive a vaccination as soon as they are eligible.

3. Coronavirus vaccines, including messenger RNA vaccines, replication-incompetent vector vaccines, inactivated vaccines and recombinant vaccines, are safe for people with IBD

IOIBD members considered the main types of vaccines that may be available for people with IBD. They did this to ensure safety across all vaccines. After review, they broadly agreed that all vaccine types are safe.

4. Coronavirus vaccination shouldn’t be delayed if a person with IBD is receiving immune-modifying therapies

Some people with IBD may be undergoing immune-modifying therapy to suppress an inflammatory response. Still, coronavirus vaccines are safe for them.

5. People with IBD who receive a coronavirus vaccine should be informed that the vaccine’s efficacy can decrease if they are receiving systemic corticosteroids

This is also an important insight for people with IBD. They should receive a coronavirus vaccine when possible. However, if they are receiving corticosteroids to calm a flare-up, the vaccine may be less effective.

Our experienced team at Gastro Health Partners continues to safely provide care for our patients during the coronavirus pandemic. We can help establish the best plan of care for your situation. Visit us online at https://gastrohealthpartners.com/ to learn about the options we offer and schedule an appointment today.

Anal Fistulas: A Brief Overview

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Anal fistulas are tube-like passages that connect an infected anal gland to the outside of the skin near the anus. They do not usually heal on their own, and often require surgery. Here’s what you need to know about the condition.

Causes

Typically, anal fistulas originate from an anal abcess. Anal abcesses are collections of pus. These can form when anal glands become infected. Then, a tunnel can form from the abscess to an opening on the skin. This tunnel is an anal fistula. Other less common causes include Crohn’s disease, cancer, trauma, and diverticulitis.

Symptoms of Anal Fistulas

Anal fistulas typically cause a few symptoms. These include pain and swelling around the anus and painful bowel movements. There is often drainage from an opening around the anus, and pain may decrease after drainage. The drainage may be pus and be bloody or foul-smelling. You may also experience fatigue, fever, and chills. Any of these symptoms are good cause to see a doctor.

Diagnosis

Doctors diagnose anal fistulas by first performing a physical exam to identify an opening or boil on the skin near the anus. If there is no visible opening, they may need to perform an anoscopy, MRI, or ultrasound to visualize the fistula tract and determine the severity and size of the fistula.

Treatment

If you have an anal fistula, you will need surgery. Anorectal surgeons will evaluate your fistula to determine how the fistula is affecting your anal sphincter muscle and then minimize the surgery’s effect on anal function. A procedure called a fistulotomy allows doctors to open the fistula tunnel and allow it to heal. Doctors usually prefer this approach if a small amount of the anal sphincter muscle is involved with the fistula. If a significant amount of the muscle is involved, another viable approach is placing a band called a seton through the fistula to promote drainage. The seton stays in place for at least 6 weeks. There is typically a follow-up procedure in this case to get rid of the fistula. Another common surgical technique is the advancement flap procedure. This, like the seton approach, is also useful if a large amount of the sphincter muscle is involved. Here, surgeons cut or scrape out the fistula and then cover the hole where it enters the bowel with a flap of skin from the rectum.

Prognosis and Disease Management After Surgery

Unfortunately, some fistulas may require several surgeries to eliminate them. Following surgeries, you may need to take stool softeners and soak the affected area in a warm bath. Plus, to help with pain, your doctor may inject a local anaesthetic and prescribe pain pills for a short time. The good news is that when properly treated, fistulas rarely come back.

Our experienced team at GHP has years of experience treating anal fistulas. We can help establish the best plan of care for your situation. Contact any of our office locations to learn about the options we offer and schedule an appointment today.

Celiac Disease: What You Need to Know

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Celiac disease is an immune disorder that gluten triggers. For people with the disease, it causes an immune response that damages the small intestine when eating gluten, which is found in foods like wheat, barley, and rye. Here’s an overview of celiac disease.

Causes and Risk Factors

This disease causes an immune response when you consume gluten. This response attacks the lining of the small intestine and leads to inflammation. This damages cilli, hair-like structures that line the small intestine. Cilli are key in absorbing nutrients from food; as such, celiac disease can cause problems with nutrient absorption and lead to malnourishment.

Celiac disease often runs in families. The causes of the disease are thought to be a combination of genes and consuming gluten. Sometimes celiac can be activated after a viral infection, childbirth, pregnancy, surgery, or severe stress. There are a few notable risk factors for celiac disease. These include a family history of the disease, type 1 diabetes, down’s syndrome, Addison’s disease, and autoimmune thyroid disease.

Symptoms of Celiac Disease

Symptoms for this disease are wide-ranging and vary significantly person to person. As mentioned before, celiac damages your body’s ability to absorb nutrients in food. Many of the symptoms you may experience are related to this lack of nutrition. Digestive issues like bloating, constipation, diarrhea, gas, pale stool, and weight loss are common. A tingling feeling in the legs is possible due to low calcium and nerve damage. People with celiac can also have musculoskeletal issues like bone and joint pain, cramps, and dental enamel defects. Anemia and hepatitis can occur too. Children with the disease can experience growth issues and a failure to thrive.

Diagnosis and Treatment

Doctors can diagnose celiac disease with blood testing. Serology blood testing examines your blood for antibodies that might indicate an immune response to gluten. Additionally, they can use genetic testing for certain antigens to potentially rule out the disease. In some cases, they may test for iron levels, as anemia (low iron) can happen with celiac. In some cases, they may want to biopsy some tissue from your small intestine to search for signs of damage. They can do this with an endoscopy, where they pass an endoscope through your mouth to your small intestine and take a tissue sample.

Treating celiac involves managing symptoms and avoiding trigger foods. You can’t eat foods with gluten, which include wheat, malt, and rye. Removing gluten from your diet will help reduce inflammation over time. You may also need to take some vitamin supplements. Your doctor may recommend you work with a dietician to establish a healthy diet without gluten. You may also need regular follow-up visits so your doctor can check in on your condition over time.

Our experienced team at GHP has years of experience diagnosing and treating Celiac disease. We can help establish the best plan of care for your situation. Contact any of our office locations to learn about the options we offer and schedule an appointment today.

 

An Overview of Diverticulitis

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Diverticulitis is a condition where pockets formed in the colon wall (called diverticula) become inflamed. Here’s what you need to know about the condition.

Causes and Risk Factors

Diverticula can form when weak areas of the colon give due to pressure, creating pockets in the colon wall. This pressure can be influenced by many things, including diet. If you do not eat enough fiber, waste can build up in your colon and increase pressure on its walls. If these diverticula tear, they can become infected and inflamed.

There are a few notable risk factors for diverticulitis. As previously mentioned, you are at risk if you do not eat enough fiber in your diet. Not eating enough fruits, vegetables, grains, nuts, and beans can all contribute to low fiber intake. If you have a diet high in fats and red meat your risk increases as well. Exercise is a factor as well- too little regular exercise can increase risk for diverticulitis. NSAIDs like ibuprofen and aspirin can heighten your risk too. Also, people over 40, men, and people who are obese have a higher chance of developing the condition. Overall, this is a very common condition, particularly for people in Western countries as they age.

Symptoms of Diverticulitis

Diverticulitis is characterized by a few symptoms. Abdominal pain in the lower left part of the abdomen is a common symptom. This pain can persist for several days, and may be mild and slowly building or can develop suddenly. Your abdomen may be tender as a result of the pain. Other potential symptoms include nausea, vomiting, constipation, and occasionally diarrhea.

Diagnosis, Treatment and Prevention

Abdominal pain is the most common symptom of this condition, and is associated with many other potential issues. As such, doctors typically perform a number of diagnostic steps to determine the underlying issue. They may ask you about your diet, bowel movements, and symptoms. They may also perform a physical exam to investigate abdominal pain and tenderness. Your doctor might want to run blood and urine tests to check for signs of infection. In some cases, they may want to do a stool test as well. They can also order a CT scan to visualize any inflamed or infected diverticula and illuminate the severity of the diverticulitis.

Treating mild diverticulitis usually involves taking prescribed oral antibiotics. You will also need to rest and switch to a liquid diet while your colon heals. In more severe cases, people with complicated diverticulitis are hospitalized and given intravenous antibiotics. Surgery may be warranted if an abscess (a pocket of infection) forms or if there is a colon puncture or fistula. In surgery, doctors remove diseased parts of the colon and reconnect healthy parts of the organ. If infection is widespread, doctors can perform a colostomy to connect the colon to a hole in the abdomen. Doctors attach a bag to the opening where waste can pass.

You can prevent diverticulitis by eating a fiber-rich diet and exercising regularly. Seek out whole grains, legumes, fruits, and vegetables. Stay in touch with your doctor if you do have a case of diverticulitis, as they may recommend other steps to prevent recurrence.

Our experienced team at GHP has years of experience treating diverticulitis. We can help establish the best plan of care for your situation. Contact any of our office locations to learn about the options we offer and schedule an appointment today.

Colorectal Polyps: What You Need to Know

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Colorectal polyps are excess tissue that can form in the lining of the colon or rectum. While most are harmless, some can develop into cancer. Here’s what you need to know about polyps.

Causes, Risk Factors, and Symptoms of Colorectal Polyps

Polyps occur when certain mutations in genes cause uncontrolled cell growth. This continued growth can turn into groups of tissue- polyps- in your large intestine. Some of the risk factors for polyps include family history, being 50 or older, obesity, low exercise levels, and tobacco or alcohol use.

In many cases, polyps may not cause any symptoms at all. You may find you have a polyp only after an examination like a colonoscopy. However, in some cases polyps do cause symptoms. These include rectal bleeding, pain, changes in bowel habits, and a change in stool color (red streaks or black stool).

Neoplastic Polyps

One of the two main kinds of polyps is neoplastic. Neoplastic polyps have the potential to become cancerous. Within this classification, there are a few additional types of polyps. Adenomas are the most common type of polyp, making up around 70% of polyps. When found, it’s tested for cancer. It can take many years for these kinds of polyps to become cancerous, so with proper screenings they can be taken care of before they become a major problem. Serrated polyps are the second main type of neoplastic polyps. These can become cancerous depending on their location and size. Larger polyps have a higher risk of becoming cancerous.

Non-neoplastic Polyps

In comparison, non-neoplastic polyps usually do not turn cancerous. One common kind, hyperplastic polyps, are small and very rarely become cancerous. Another type, inflammatory polyps, are common in people with inflammatory bowel disease. These do not grow like other polyps- they develop in response to chronic inflammation. They tend to be benign. One final type is hamartomatous polyps. These may occur as part of a genetic syndrome, and tend to be benign as well.

Reducing Risk and Preventing Colorectal Cancer

In general, there are several lifestyle and screening measures you should take to reduce the risk of polyps and colorectal cancer. Eating fruits and vegetables and reducing fat intake are key dietary steps that can help you remain healthy. In addition, you should limit alcohol and tobacco consumption. Plus, staying active is a must.

You should also consider your risk for colorectal cancer or polyps based on family history. In some cases, you may want to pursue genetic counseling if your family has a history of colon polyps. Additionally, if you have a hereditary disorder that causes polyps, you may need earlier and more regular screenings.

Screenings themselves are a key aspect of preventing colorectal cancer. The colonoscopy remains the gold standard for screenings. It allows doctors to both detect and remove polyps to prevent colorectal cancer. In fact, annual colonoscopies reduce cancer incidence by around 89%. Screenings are now recommended earlier- at GHP we endorse annual colonoscopies for all patients ages 45-75. Visit our website to learn more.

Our experienced team at GHP has years of experience screening for and treating colorectal cancer. We can help establish the best plan of care for your situation. Contact any of our office locations to learn about the options we offer and schedule an appointment today.

 

What is H. Pylori?

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H. pylori is a bacteria that can infect the stomach and cause complications like stomach ulcers. Here’s an overview of how doctors identify and treat this infection.

Causes and Risk Factors

H. Pylori is very common- in the United States, around 30-40% of people are estimated to have an infection with the bacteria in their lifetime. Most It may spread through contaminated food and water, and through an infected person’s saliva or other bodily fluids. As such, risk factors include eating food that is not cooked properly or safely and drinking contaminated water. Living in crowded conditions also increases risk, as does living in a developing country where living conditions may be less sanitary and more crowded. Additionally, if you live with someone who has H. pylori, you have an increased risk.

Symptoms and Complications

Most people with H. pylori never have any symptoms. For people who do experience symptoms, they can include a burning or ache in the abdomen, loss of appetite, nausea, boating, weight loss, frequent burping, and nausea. There are some complications that can occur with H. pylori as well. The infection can damage the stomach’s protective lining and allow stomach acid to create an ulcer (an open sore). Additionally, the infection can cause gastritis (inflammation) on the stomach lining. H. pylori infection is also a risk factor for some kinds of stomach cancer.

Diagnosis

There are a few ways doctors can diagnose H. pylori. They can perform blood testing to see if you have an active or past infection. They can also perform breath testing; in this case, you swallow a pill containing carbon molecules and then breathe into a bag. Doctors check for carbon in your breath- if it’s present this means the bacteria is present. Another testing option is a stool test, in which doctors analyze a stool sample for abnormal bacteria or proteins that indicate an H. pylori infection. In some cases, your doctor may perform an upper endoscopy to visualize your stomach and take a tissue biopsy.

Treatment and Prevention

Most often, doctors treat H. pylori infection with multiple antibiotics. They may use two simultaneously to hedge against the bacteria becoming resistant to one. Your doctor may recommend other treatments depending on your case. This can include prescribing proton pump inhibitors, which block stomach acid production. They may also prescribe histamine blockers, which block histamine, the substance that triggers acid production. Often times, you may undergo follow-up testing a few weeks after treatment to determine if the bacteria has been eliminated.

You can take some steps to prevent H. pylori infection. Always wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water after using the bathroom and before eating. Only consume food that has been cooked in a clean and safe manner. Avoid unclean drinking water if possible. Doing these things can cut down on risk factors for H. pylori.

Our experienced team at GHP has years of experience diagnosing and treating H. pylori. We can help establish the best plan of care for your situation. Contact any of our office locations to learn about the options we offer and schedule an appointment today.

Hereditary Diffuse Gastric Cancer: What You Need to Know

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HDGC, or Hereditary Diffuse Gastric Cancer, is an inherited condition that increases your risk of stomach cancer. Here’s what you need to know about the condition.

What is Hereditary Diffuse Gastric Cancer?

Hereditary Diffuse Gastric Cancer syndrome is passed down genetically. This condition causes signet-ring shaped cells to grow on the stomach wall. It can spread throughout the stomach, and it does not usually cause a mass. As a result, it is difficult to diagnose early on before symptoms occur with typical testing like an Upper Endoscopy. Later-stage symptoms of HDGC that can indicate the condition include weight loss, loss of appetite, vomiting, nausea, trouble swallowing, and stomach pain.

Only around 1-3% of all stomach cancers are HDGC, so this is a rare condition. It puts you at a higher risk of stomach cancer and lobular breast cancer. In particular, there is a higher risk of diffuse gastric cancer for people with the syndrome. Diffuse gastric cancer is a type of stomach cancer that tends to affect most of the stomach. Somewhere around 20% of stomach cancers are of this type.

Cancer risk for people in families carrying an HDGC gene is high. The risk of developing stomach cancer by age 80 is 67% for men and 83% for women. The lifetime risk for women with HDGC developing lobular breast cancer is around 20-40%.

Diagnosis

People with a family history of HDGC can receive genetic testing to identify gene mutations associated with the condition. There is no single gene mutation that indicates HDGC most of the time. In fact, in families with a strong history of diffuse gastric cancer, the most common gene mutation (CDH1) for this condition only accounts for around 30-50% of cases. In all cases of gastric cancers, CDH1 mutation only cause around 1-3% of cases. So, there are a particular set of circumstances that dictate whether genetic testing should be pursued. Family history has to be taken into account. The guidelines for testing for a CDH1 may include:

  • A diffuse gastric cancer diagnosis before age 35
  • A diagnosis of both diffuse gastric and lobular breast cancer
  • Over two cases of diffuse gastric cancer in a family
  • Multiple cases of diffuse gastric cancer in a family, with one or more diagnoses occurring before age 50

Reducing Cancer Risk

People with an HDGC diagnosis or confirmed CDH1 gene mutation have a few treatment options. Unfortunately, as alluded to earlier, early screening for HDGC is very difficult since the diffuse cancer involved is hard to detect. People with a CDH1 mutation may want to consider getting their stomach removed through a prophylactic total gastrectomy, as this is the only proven way to completely prevent diffuse gastric cancer. This is a significant surgery with long-term side effects, so you should discuss the option thoroughly with your doctor. If you do not want to pursue the surgery, intensive surveillance is another option. This involves an annual EGD (Esophagogastroduodenoscopy) with multiple mucosal biopsies. Additionally, women at risk of HDGC should consider early breast cancer screening starting at age 30. They may also want to consider biannual clinical breast examinations, monthly self-examinations, and frequent breast imaging tests.

Our experienced team at GHP has years of experience screening for and treating conditions including HDGC. We can help establish the best plan of care for your situation. Contact any of our office locations to learn about the options we offer and schedule an appointment today.

 

What is Anorectal Manometry?

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Anorectal Manometry is a procedure that measures the function of anal and rectal muscles. This test helps doctors measure function and pressure in sphincter muscles involved in bowel movements. Here’s what you need to know about the procedure.

When is Anorectal Manometry used?

Anorectal Manometry is used to help evaluate patients with fecal incontinence or constipation. As a type of manometry, it measures the coordination and force of smooth muscles. In particular, it can help evaluate the strength and coordination of sphincter muscles. In short, Doctors use Anorectal Manometry to investigate in cases of abnormal bowel movements. So, if you have difficulty passing stool, struggle with uncontrolled bowels, or experience constipation, your doctor may recommend Anorectal Manometry. Doctors also use Anorectal Manometry to assess anal and rectal muscles pre and post-surgery, investigate functional anorectal pain, and make differential diagnoses regarding anal pain.

Preparing for the Procedure

There are a few preparatory steps you need to take before an Anorectal Manometry. Your doctor will give specific instructions before the procedure. You should not eat or drink anything starting midnight the night before the test. Additionally, your doctor may ask you to take one or two enemas a few hours before the test to empty your bowels. You should also discuss any medications you are taking before the procedure. In particular, you should not take smooth muscle relaxants the day before the procedure.

During the Anorectal Manometry Procedure

Anorectal Manometry does not involve any sedatives. During the procedure, you will lie on your left side with your knees bent. Your doctor will slowly insert a small catheter (tube) through your anal sphincter to your rectum. The catheter has a balloon attached at the end. Once the balloon is in place, your doctor will attach the exposed end of the tube to a machine that inflates the balloon. Your doctor will then measure the muscle coordination and strength in your rectum and anal sphincter. You may be asked to squeeze, push, and relax at various points as they are performing the testing. The machine measures subsequent pressure changes in the balloon. Your doctor may also measure other things like rectal volume, sensation, and muscle reflexes. Once they complete measurements, your doctor will deflate the balloon and remove the catheter and balloon. The procedure takes around 30-45 minutes in total.

After the Procedure

Since no anaesthetic is used during the test, recovery is immediate. You can resume normal activities and diet. Your doctor will discuss their findings with you after the procedure. This can take some time depending on their findings.

Depending on the findings, your doctor may make some recommendations. These may include dietary changes, using certain medication, and muscle strengthening exercise. In some cases, surgery may be required.

Our experienced team at GHP has years of experience performing procedures including Anorectal Manometry. We can help establish the best plan of care for your situation. Contact any of our office locations to learn about the options we offer and schedule an appointment today.

 

Colorectal Cancer and Age, Race, and Ethnicity

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Colorectal cancer is not experienced equally by everyone. In the past several years, younger people have experienced increased colorectal cancer rates and deaths. Additionally, Black people and American Indians experience more cases of this cancer and related deaths. Here’s what you need to know about how this disease affects different people.

Colorectal Cancer in Younger Adults

Rates of colorectal cancer have been on the rise for younger and younger adults over the last several years. According to the American Cancer Society, while rates for adults 50 and older have fallen due to increased screenings, the opposite trend has occurred for younger adults. Recently, people 65 and older have experienced a decrease of around 3% per year from 2011 to 2016. In contrast, people ages 50 to 64 have seen rates rise by 1% per year in the same time frame. People under 50 have actually seen rates rise by 2.2% per year in the same window. Clearly, younger adults are seeing steeper increases in cases. Death rates have followed similar patterns. Death rates for colorectal cancer also vary by age group. Between 2008 and 2017, death rates fell by 3% per year in people 65 and older and dropped by 0.6% in people 50 to 64. However, they rose by 1.3% in people younger than 50.

Fortunately, colorectal cancer can be very treatable if it’s caught early. Younger adults should be aware of warning signs. These include changes in bowel movements (particularly over two weeks or more), rectal bleeding, unusual stools, and tiredness or low energy. If they have any of these symptoms, they should see their doctor.

Disparities Based on Race and Ethnicity

Along with age, looking at colorectal cancer rates and death rates based on race and ethnicity shows significant variation. The American Cancer Society’s data from 2012-2016 showed that rates were dramatically different based on race. Rates for Asian people and Pacific Islanders were the lowest at 30 per 100,000. Non-Hispanic white people had a rate of 39 per 100,000, and Black people had a rate of 46 per 100,000. Alaska Natives and American Indians had the highest rate, at 89 per 100,000. Death rates vary significantly as well- colorectal cancer rates are around 20% higher for Black people than non-Hispanic white people, but death rates are nearly 40% higher in Black people. Additionally, for Alaska Natives and American Indians, death rates are about double the rate for Black people.

Early Screenings Save Lives

While many of these statistics are troubling, we do know that screening early is an effective way to catch more cases of colorectal cancer. More and more organizations, including Gastro Health Partners, are pushing for earlier screenings and research on the disparities around this disease. Early screenings save lives.

Our experienced team at GHP has years of experience screening for and treating colorectal cancer. We can help establish the best plan of care for your situation. Contact any of our office locations to learn about the options we offer and schedule an appointment today.

Lynch Syndrome: An Overview

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Lynch syndrome is an inherited genetic condition that increases risk for colorectal and other cancers. It is the single most common cause of hereditary colorectal cancer. Here’s what you need to know about the condition.

What causes Lynch Syndrome?

Lynch syndrome, sometimes called hereditary nonpolyposis colorectal cancer, is inherited by children from their parents. It is inherited in an autosomal dominant pattern, meaning that only a single copy of the altered gene needs to be present. So, if someone inherits a mutation in a gene related to the syndrome, they will still have a normal copy. However, cancer occurs when a second mutation affects the normal copy of the gene.

The specific genes involved in the syndrome are all involved in repairing errors that occur during DNA replication. If any of the genes (MLH1, MSH2, MSH6, and PMS2) have a mutation, errors occurring in replication accumulate, which can end up leading to uncontrolled cell growth and cancer.

Complications from Lynch Syndrome

If you have Lynch syndrome, you have a higher risk of developing colorectal cancer, and developing it at a younger age. People with the syndrome also have a higher risk of developing kidney, stomach, brain, liver, uterine, and some skin cancers. There are several other inherited conditions that can increase your risk of colon cancer, but this syndrome is the single most common. A rough estimate is that around 3% of all colorectal and endometrial cancers are caused by the syndrome. Around 1 in 279 people in the United States have Lynch syndrome.

In addition, having Lynch syndrome has impacts on the rest of your family. First, a positive diagnosis means that your blood relatives may have a chance of having the syndrome. In addition, any children you may have are at a higher risk of having it. If one parent has a genetic mutation related to the syndrome, a child has a 50% chance of inheriting it. This is because the syndrome is autosomal dominant, as discussed previously. You may want to meet with a genetic counselor to talk through these implications if you have a Lynch syndrome diagnosis.

The Importance of Family History

Since you inherit Lynch syndrome, knowing your family history related to colorectal cancers is crucial. If your family has a history of colorectal or endometrial cancer, you should talk with your doctor to evaluate your risk. In particular, you are more likely to have the syndrome if your family has a history of colorectal cancer at a young age, endometrial cancer, or other related cancers.

Your doctor may recommend a genetic evaluation of your family history and risk. Genetic counselors can help you understand Lynch syndrome and whether genetic testing is a good option for you. Usually, family members with the syndrome share the same specific genetic mutation. If any of your family members have a known a syndrome mutation, you may be tested for the same mutation if you are pursuing genetic testing.

The good news is that we can prevent a lot of the cancers caused by Lynch syndrome with early screenings. Screening early and often can help catch cancer early and lead to better outcomes.

Our experienced team at GHP has years of experience screening for and treating cancers caused by Lynch syndrome. We can help establish the best plan of care for your situation. Contact any of our office locations to learn about the options we offer and schedule an appointment today.