New thesis shows Lynch syndrome should be seen as a common condition

Sophie Walton Bernstedt from the Gastroenterology and Rheumatology Unit at the Department of Medicine, Huddinge (MedH), is defending her thesis “Risk factors for colorectal cancer and the impact on life in Lynch syndrome,” on 24 May, 2024. The main supervisor is Ann-Sofie Backman (MedH).

“We have investigated various risk factors associated with the development of colorectal cancer in Lynch syndrome and what it is like for these patients to live with a greatly increased cancer risk,” says Walton Bernstedt.

“There is likely still a large number of patients yet to be identified with Lynch syndrome. It is necessary to identify these patients in time in order to prevent and detect early stage cancer by preventive procedures.

“By implementing routines in follow-up services for this group of patients it is possible to create optimal conditions for early detection. These routines include bowel preparation, but also the quality of the procedure, adaptation to genetic risk but also accommodating psychosocial needs among patients.

“Lynch syndrome no longer should be considered a rare condition. By increasing the knowledge of hereditary cancer in the public we hope to increase the efficiency of cancer preventive measures.”