Overview

• Thousands of people in England with Lynch syndrome, a genetic condition that increases cancer risk, will now receive regular bowel cancer screenings.
• The initiative marks the first of its kind globally, aiming to catch cancer early and enhance treatment success rates.
• About 175,000 people in England are estimated to have Lynch syndrome, but only a small fraction are currently diagnosed.
• Screening will involve colonoscopies every two years, potentially preventing 40-60% of bowel cancer cases among those with the condition.
• Despite record waiting times for cancer treatment in England in 2023, the NHS has seen improvements in diagnosis speed.