Her family kept getting cancer. At 33, a saliva test explained why.
Michelle York, 43, was diagnosed with Lynch syndrome a decade ago, a genetic condition that significantly increases her risk of developing multiple cancers, particularly colon cancer. Her family has a long history of various cancers, and a saliva test revealed Lynch syndrome in her mother, siblings, and herself, leading to more frequent screenings.
Why it matters
This highlights the importance of genetic testing for inherited conditions like Lynch syndrome, which can be underdiagnosed but allows for proactive screening and early detection, potentially saving lives and improving health outcomes for affected families.
Michelle York, 43, was diagnosed with Lynch syndrome 10 years ago. Lynch syndrome heightens her risk of developing multiple cancers, especially colon cancer. Michelle York Michelle York, 43, had family history of multiple cancers on her mom's side. York tested positive for Lynch syndrome, an underdiagnosed, symptomless condition that increases cancer risk. York and her other family members who tested positive get more frequent cancer screenings. On her mom's side, Michelle York has a long family history of cancer. Her great-grandmother died from colon cancer. Her grandfather had stomach and brain cancer, and his sisters died from liver, ovarian, and breast cancer, respectively. Her mother's cousin died from pancreatic cancer. Then, when York was 33, her mother came across a possible explanation: Lynch syndrome . An inherited genetic mutation, Lynch syndrome is underdiagnosed, symptomless, and increases the risk of cancers, including colorectal, uterine, stomach, ovarian, pancreatic, among others.
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