[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 158 (2012), Part 3]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages 4041-4042]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




              RECOGNITION OF LYNCH SYNDROME AWARENESS DAY

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                          HON. EDOLPHUS TOWNS

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, March 22, 2012

  Mr. TOWNS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute and to honor 
Lynch Syndrome Awareness Day. Lynch Syndrome is a hereditary condition 
that exposes families to a higher risk of contracting aggressive 
cancers at a younger than average age.
  First identified in 1966 by Dr. Henry T. Lynch, Lynch Syndrome is a 
genetic disorder caused by a mutation in mismatch repair genes MLH1, 
MSH2, MSH6, EPCAM, and PMS2. Mismatch genes typically protect the body 
from cancers by repairing the errors in DNA replication, but due to the 
mutation, those mismatch genes have stopped functioning properly. 
Consequently, the defective gene causes individuals affected by Lynch 
Syndrome to sustain a lifetime risk of up to eighty-two percent of 
developing Colorectal Cancer, sixty-five percent of contracting 
Endometrial Cancer, a nineteen percent of contracting Gastric Cancer 
and a much higher than average risk of contracting many other cancers, 
most often at a younger than average age.
  The only accurate method of diagnosing Lynch Syndrome is through 
genetic testing and a comprehensive assessment of the family's medical 
history. To be diagnosed with Lynch Syndrome, a patient must meet the 
Amsterdam Criteria II--three relatives must have Lynch Syndrome 
associated cancers, two must be directly related to the third, and one 
must be under the age of 50.
  In the U.S. alone, there are approximately 600,000 people who are 
carriers of Lynch Syndrome mutation, yet only five percent of those 
carriers have been diagnosed. In comparison to the general population, 
in a lifetime, people affected by Lynch Syndrome are up to eighty-two 
percent more susceptible to Colon Cancer, up to sixty percent more 
prone to Endometrial Cancer, eleven to nineteen percent more disposed 
to Stomach Cancer, nine to twelve percent more vulnerable to Ovarian 
Cancer, and the list continues.
  While researchers have not been able to determine a cure for Lynch 
Syndrome, there are still various ways to manage and treat this 
condition. Through screenings and medical management programs, polyps 
and growths can be detected and removed before becoming life-
threatening. In addition to annual

[[Page 4042]]

colonoscopies, EGDs, endometrial samplings, urinalyses, dermatological 
examinations, pathological testing of all colorectal tumors in 
accordance with NCCN guidelines, and abdominal hysterectomies, Lynch 
Syndrome can be effectively managed.
  Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to join me in recognizing today as 
Lynch Syndrome Awareness Day. Although researchers have yet to find a 
cure, hopefully, through our support and recognition more people will 
become educated about this extremely life-threatening disease and a 
cure will shortly be on its way.

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