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Home » Healthy You » Lynch Syndrome: The Most Common Cause of Hereditary Colon Cancer
Healthy You

Lynch Syndrome: The Most Common Cause of Hereditary Colon Cancer

Monday, October 26, 2020 12:52 PM

Lynch syndrome, also known as hereditary non-polyposis colorectal cancer (HNPCC), is the most common cause of hereditary colorectal (colon) cancer.

People with Lynch syndrome are more likely to get colorectal cancer and other cancers, and at a younger age (before 50), including:

  • Uterine (endometrial),
  • Stomach,
  • Liver,
  • Kidney,
  • Brain, and
  • Certain types of skin cancers.

Lynch syndrome causes about 4,000 colorectal cancers and 1,800 uterine (endometrial) cancers per year.