What is Lynch Syndrome awareness so important?
Lynch syndrome is a genetic disorder that increases the risk of many cancers, particularly colorectal cancers. Often, people with this syndrome get cancer at an early age. Not many people outside of a small community know of this affliction.
David Dubin is working to change that. He was diagnosed with Lynch syndrome in his forties after surviving colon cancer twice. He founded Alive and Kickn, an organization spreading colon cancer and Lynch syndrome awareness. He wants to change the conversation around colon cancer and bring awareness to a younger crowd.
David Dubin: I am David Dubin, two time colon cancer survivor, founder of Alive and Kickn and advocate and here is what I think we need to continue the conversation about Lynch syndrome.
I am very fond of saying that life is a conversation but I think what is missing about the conversation for Lynch syndrome is that there really is very little conversation about Lynch syndrome, let’s be honest. You know, I joke that when I tell people I have cancer, they always look at my breast and I say there is more to cancer than just breast cancer. You know, this year when there was a big to do about BRCA and that should be. I am not saying, I am not discounting BRCA, breast cancer as warranted conversations. It really did not trickle down to Lynch syndrome. Statistically, it is warranted and FAP, another genetic colon cancer issue.
These are real genetic issues that are facing colon cancer and again statistically, they are warranted. If you are talking about you know as much as 7, may be 10% of all colon cancers being related genetically, you are talking about real numbers. And I am very big on saying that life is a conversation but I am also big on talking about numbers because numbers tell a story.
If we did not have the numbers that we are looking at, I would not be sitting here shouting at the rain, but statistically it is warranted and Lynch syndrome, FAP and other genetic issues should be addressed now because I do think they are going to turn into bigger genetic issues in the future. I think the more we know moving forward, the more tests that are done for genetic predispositions, the more we are going to find and I think it will be astounding and I prefer to find it sooner rather than later.
David Dubin
Latest posts by David Dubin (see all)
- How AliveandKickn Spreads a Unique Blend of Colon Cancer Advocacy - January 1, 1970
- Dave Dubin of AliveandKickn Shares Advice for Newly Diagnosed Colon Cancer Patients - January 1, 1970
- Discussing Lynch Syndrome With Your Kids - January 1, 1970
