My Lynch Syndrome Story

By Elizabeth Ryan

I knew that colon cancer ran in my family - my maternal grandfather passed away as a result of it when my mom was only 16 years old. After a stressful two years (moving to a new state, starting a business, getting married and my dad having his own health issues) I had developed what I thought was a "nervous stomach". Luckily, a friend’s father, who happens to be a colorectal surgeon, suggested that I get a colonoscopy "just in case" before he referred me to a gastroenterologist.

In February 2019, just shy of four months after my 29th birthday and wedding day, I was diagnosed with rectal cancer. Before the doctor even finished giving me the diagnosis, he said given my age and gender he did not even need to wait for the genetic panel to come back to tell me that I very likely had "Lynch Syndrome". I had heard of the BRCA genes but never heard of Lynch Syndrome, which surprised me once I started learning more about it. A few weeks later, my genetic panel came back positive for Lynch Syndrome (MSH2 gene mutation).

Given my family history and the many doctors’ appointments I had in the years leading up to my diagnosis, I was surprised that neither my mom nor I had ever heard of or been told about Lynch Syndrome. I just recently passed my one year “anniversary” of finishing treatment for stage 3 rectal cancer and my scans currently show “no evidence of disease” – something that I know I am very fortunate to be able to say.

I am passionate about educating people about prioritizing their health and advocating for yourself and friends and family which is why I am a very proud supporter of the Jacqueline Rush Foundation.