DFCI Bayes-Mendel Lab Develops New Cancer Screening Tool

The Bayes-Mendel Lab at the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, co-led by Professor Giovanni Parmigiani and alumna and Senior Research Scientist Danielle Braun, has developed MyLynch, a cancer risk screening tool for people with Lynch syndrome.

Per the DFCI announcement:Lynch syndrome is the leading cause of hereditary cancers. It is caused by pathogenic variations on one of five genes: MLH1, MSH2, MSH6, PMS2, and EPCAM. These variants significantly increase a person’s risk of several different cancers, the most well-known being colorectal and endometrial. Many more cancers have been recently linked to Lynch Syndrome, but clinicians may not be fully aware of risks and treatments because the research is so new.

MyLynch is a communication tool that aims to bridge the gap between people with Lynch syndrome and their family doctors by tailoring their individual risk profile.

“This tool helps users identify cancers for which users may be at risk, assess their chance of getting each cancer, and determine options for lowering that risk,” explains Stephen Knapp, MEng, lead developer. “Most importantly, the tool educates patients on their risks for cancer and what they can do about those risks. For example: taking aspirin, losing weight, or following through with scheduled colonoscopies.”

Read more here. Access MyLynch.