The journey through cancer is a tough one. Whether we are talking about chemotherapy, recovery, medicine, or the illness through the eyes of others, the battle with cancer seems hopeless and never-ending for most patients.

One form of cancer is already a life-changing situation, let alone multiple such forms. Lynch syndrome is a condition that increases the risk of many types of cancer. Also known as hereditary non-polyposis colorectal cancer (HNPCC), it is the most common cause of hereditary colorectal cancer. People with Lynch syndrome are more likely to get colorectal cancer and other cancers before the age of 50, including: uterine (endometrial), stomach, liver, kidney, or certain types of skin cancers. Lynch syndrome causes about 4,200 colorectal cancers and 1,800 uterine cancers per year.

The disease occurs due to mutations in genes that affect DNA mismatch repair, a process that fixes mistakes made when DNA is copied. These genes normally protect you from getting certain cancers, but some mutations in these genes prevent them from working properly. 

If cancer was found during the diagnosis, surgery is the first step in treatment. However, it’s possible that cancer could return, even after it’s surgically removed. All of these are reasons to raise awareness about this complex condition.