Kansas City, Kan- Key points from today’s guests:

Lori Chavez, treated for Lynch syndrome-related colorectal cancer

• Lore found out she had Lynch syndrome, a genetic disorder that increases cancer risk, when she was pregnant six years ago.
• She worked with a genetic counselor to review options and resources.
• Lori had surgery to remove her colon due to colorectal cancer.
• She was eager to enter a clinical trial last year for a potential vaccine because she wanted to help others with future innovations in medicine, especially following the loss of her grandfather, uncle, and father to cancer.
• One of her three kids has been tested. He was negative and the other two kids are too young to be tested yet.
• She recommends that others do not ignore family history and make sure you take personal care seriously.

Dr. Ed Ellerbeck, internal medicine physician, The University of Kansas Health System; living with Lynch syndrome

• His mother developed ovarian cancer and died fairly quickly. His brother had colorectal cancer at age 53 and died two years later.
• After genetic screening, he was diagnosed with Lynch syndrome.
• The most important thing is for people who have colorectal cancer to get genetic testing.
• At KU, and most of the hospitals in the country now, we have a policy that any new cancer diagnosed here also screens for Lynch syndrome.
• Genetic testing is easier and cheaper than ever before and we are excited that there are potential avenues further prevention in the future.
• Thinking about how we can target cancer risk at the molecular level is absolutely fascinating.

Dr. Ajay Bansal, medical director, GI Cancers Prevention Clinic, The University of Kansas Cancer Center

• Lynch syndrome happens because of one of four genes. It occurs in one out of every 279 people and increases the rise of colorectal and other cancers.
• The risk of colon cancer lifetime in the general population is approximately 4-5 percent. With Lynch syndrome, it can go up to 30-80 percent, so approximately a three to eight three to 10 fold increase.
• The chance of passing on the gene of Lynch syndrome the next generation is 50 percent.
• With this vaccine trial, we are hoping to decrease the risk of colorectal cancer, but one of the secondary things we are looking at is the risk of ovarian, uterine, stomach and pancreatic or other cancers, because the same proteins which are involved in causing cancer in the colon, some of those proteins are also involved in causing cancer in other organs. So we are hoping for a global effect of the vaccines on cancer risk in Lynch.
• As genetic testing is getting cheaper, what will happen is there may be universal genetic testing to find potential health issues early.
• Talk to your family and your doctor about family history because you can empower yourself to help your family.

Monday, Aug. 12 at 8 a.m. is the next Morning Medical Update. Hear more about the importance of food allergy education, especially as it impacts people who rely on food pantries.

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