Lynch Syndrome and Colon Cancer

Hi all! I’m so happy to see such a kind and supportive community for lynch syndrome, so thank you for being here! I have a few lynch syndrome questions that I hope someone can answer.

My dad was diagnosed with colon cancer about 3 years ago. Shortly after he was diagnosed with lynch syndrome. Part of his colon was removed and he was deemed cancer free. Last week he had a colonoscopy and one of the polyps removed was cancerous. He’s going to see a specialist next week.

In the meantime, my mom has been panicking. She thinks that because he has cancer in his colon, it is spreading to his whole body because cancer cells multiply. She thinks he’s going to die within a year.

I don’t really understand her line of thinking, and I’m not sure that her reasoning is correct. We also haven’t been to the specialist yet.

From my understanding of lynch syndrome, some of your cells don’t have instructions to get rid of damaged cells. And these damaged cells are more likely to build up in your colon, stomach, etc. So doctors give you screenings more often to remove any polyps before it can spread. I understand that it’s a concern his cancer came back, but I don’t think this means, as she thinks, he now has cancer over his whole body. I’m trying to be realistic, and I’m thinking worst case (for the current situation), his entire colon is removed. I understand he has a higher risk of cancer in other areas, but that’s why he would continue to be screened. I know that lynch syndrome and cancer are serious, but I’m not seeing her connection to him dying within a year.

Can anyone further explain so of this or let me know if my mom’s reasoning is correct?

Also, I was tested for lynch syndrome, and thankfully, I am negative for it. I am beyond happy to know that I don’t have it and can’t pass it to future children.

My thoughts and prayers are with all of you who have lynch syndrome or are caring for a loved one with it ❤️

Edit: his first cancer was stage one and treated without chemotherapy.

in lynchsyndromeby perpetual_ghost

86%

26d

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Morning_lurk

25d

It's really not unusual for Lynch patients to get multiple primary (non-relapse) cancers. My aunt had three breast cancers, in different spots, in both breasts. Between my three affected Lynch relatives (dad, aunt, and grandpa), they survived thirteen cancers. To them, it's just a part of life.

My dad's so matter-of-fact about it when he gets another cancer that it's very reassuring to me. To him, it's just a problem that has a solution, and he does whatever he needs to do to solve it. I couldn't ask for a better example. He keeps up on his screenings and pays attention to changes in his body, so they keep getting it early and nipping it in the bud. When cancer comes for me, if I can meet it with that sort of practical grace, I feel like I'll be okay.

It sounds like the screening did what it was meant to do, and that your dad is probably in good shape to survive this. The fact that he keeps up with his screenings is great. It's really unlikely that this colon cancer was a metastasis from somewhere else in the body. The reason they give us annual colonoscopies is that identifying and removing the polyps early has excellent results.

I hope your mom has someone to talk to that can help her process this anxiety. At the very least, I hope she's not venting it at your dad. Maybe the consultation with the specialist will help to reassure her. Both my dad and stepmom say it's easier to go through cancer yourself than to watch your spouse go through cancer, so I can understand why she's upset. I know it's hard to find positivity in that situation but clinging on to a positive attitude (like driftwood after a shipwreck) has carried my loved ones through more cancers than you can shake a stick at. I hope this was caught early and doesn't need too much in the way of treatment. If it does turn out to be a bigger deal, he'll need your mom's support.

perpetual_ghost

25d

Thank you! It’s so reassuring to hear this! My mom sees a counselor for anxiety. I also brought up to her that saying things like that around my dad would cause him a lot of anxiety. I’m trying to provide her with facts that I’ve been finding online and studies on lynch syndrome to reassure her.