Cancer risk rises with this little-known syndrome. Here’s how to know if you have the genetic condition

As colorectal cancer continues to spike among younger patients, doctors are warning of a little-known but widespread condition that greatly increases the risk.

Lynch syndrome is a genetic disorder that makes someone more susceptible to many different kinds of cancer.

Fox News Digital spoke with two experts about what people should know about this inherited condition.

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Dr. Matthew Grossman, an interventional endoscopist and gastroenterologist with Atlantic Health System in New Jersey, explained the relationship between Lynch syndrome and human DNA.

"Think of DNA as a ladder," he said. "Normally, errors in the rungs — called mismatches — are fixed by a repair system. In Lynch syndrome, this system is faulty, increasing the risk of mismatches."

Because of the mismatch repair defect, a person with Lynch syndrome is much more likely to develop abnormalities and defects in cells, which eventually lead to cancer, he said.

"Lynch syndrome is a type of germline mutation, meaning it’s inherited genetically, versus a somatic mutation, which can happen spontaneously to only a few cells," said Grossman.

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Dr. Ajay Bansal, a gastroenterologist at KU Medical Center at the University of Kansas, emphasized that Lynch syndrome largely flies under the radar, as 95% of patients who have the condition don’t know about it.

"They are not aware that they are at increased risk for not only colon cancer, but also uterine, ovarian, stomach, small bowel, kidney, bladder and perhaps brain cancer," he told Fox News Digital. "So it's very underdiagnosed."

One of the reasons the syndrome often goes unnoticed is because it’s a "silent" condition, Bansal said. "It doesn't cause any symptoms until you have cancer."

The two main cancers tied to the syndrome are colon and colorectal cancer and cancer of the uterus.

"Lynch syndrome can result from four or five different mutations," Bansal said. "Depending on the mutation, the type of cancer risk changes."

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For example, for those who have a mutation in a gene called MLH1, the risk of getting colorectal cancer at some point in their lifetime is 80%, Bansal warned.

Among young-onset colorectal cancers, the doctor estimated that roughly 25% are a result of Lynch syndrome.

Lynch syndrome can be diagnosed by either a blood test or saliva test, Bansal said.

"If a patient has a family history of multiple colon cancers or multiple other cancers in the family, or if somebody in the family had colon cancer or uterine cancer under the age of 50, we recommend genetic testing to confirm the syndrome," he said.

Patients who fall into these categories are typically tested for Lynch between the ages of 18 to 25, the doctor said.

Universal genetic testing is not generally performed.

"It's not approved for the general population, mainly because of costs and insurance concerns," Bansal noted.

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Before genetic testing was available, clinicians relied on the "3,2,1 criteria" for diagnosing Lynch syndrome, according to Grossman.

"For that criteria, if patients have three or more relatives with one of the affecting cancers on the same side of the family, and this is seen in two or more generations with at least one person under age 50, that is highly diagnostic of Lynch syndrome and they should discuss the condition with a doctor," he said.

There is no treatment or "cure" for Lynch syndrome, as it's caused by a genetic mutation. 

Those who test positive should closely monitor themselves for the warning signs of cancer through regular screenings — especially colonoscopies, Bansal said.

In the general population, among people without Lynch syndrome, it is recommended to start colonoscopies at the age of 45. 

In patients with Lynch syndrome — especially those with more aggressive phenotypes and genotypes — Bansal recommended starting colonoscopies at the age of 25 and repeating them every one to two years.

"The idea here would be to monitor closely so we can prevent colon cancer by removing polyps or catching it at an early stage when we can treat it," he said.

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Bansal, who specializes in studying vaccines for cancer prevention, is currently running a clinical trial for a new cancer vaccine. The participants are all people with Lynch syndrome.

"We felt that we had to do something to change the natural history of cancer in this high-risk population," he told Fox News Digital.

In the trial, researchers are testing a combination of three vaccines that were initially created by a scientist at the National Cancer Institute. 

"These vaccines attack those cells in the colorectal area that express abnormal proteins, and then it can train the immune cells to get rid of those cells in the colon — and perhaps in other organs such as the stomach, small bowel, pancreas and uterus — before they turn into cancer or polyps."

The first two safety phases of the trial have already been completed. 

Next, the researchers will perform randomized controlled trials to gauge the effectiveness of the vaccines in keeping cancer at bay.

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If the trial is successful, Bansal said he envisions the vaccine extending to other types of cancers.

Bansal’s main advice to patients is to talk to their primary care doctors about their family history.

"In medical care, everybody's so busy that we don't discuss family history enough," he said. "Patients should ask their doctor about their family history of cancers and the possibility of genetic testing, which has become much cheaper than ever before."

Grossman agreed that it's important to be aware of the risks associated with the genetic condition.

"Knowing you have Lynch syndrome allows for more frequent colonoscopies and additional cancer screenings that will help save lives," he said. 

"This is a great example of how our increased knowledge of genetics has improved our clinical care."

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In patients with depression, familiar scents could help trigger happy memories, study finds: ‘Break the cycle’

A familiar scent could help individuals with depression recall memories more easily than verbal cues, a recent study published in JAMA Network Open noted.

For people with major depressive disorder (MDD), a familiar smell might help them recall autobiographical memories and potentially help with mental health treatment, according to a group of researchers and social workers from the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine.

Depression has been linked to issues with short-term memory, according to Healthline.

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"The main takeaway from the study is that individuals with depression do have specific memories and positive memories, but they just have trouble accessing them," study co-author Dr. Kymberly Young, PhD, an associate professor of psychiatry and neuroscience researcher at the University of Pittsburgh, told Fox News Digital. 

"By using odors, we can help them access these memories."

The findings suggest that using familiar scents in clinical settings could help to stop negative thought patterns and expedite healing, according to the report. 

"Being able to access specific memories is important for problem-solving and emotion regulation — if we can help individuals with depression to access specific memories, they should be able to use them when needed and improve their quality of life," Young said.

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In healthy individuals, scents could trigger memories that feel vivid and "real" — likely because they engage the part of the brain called the amygdala, which plays a role in processing memory and emotional responses, according to a press release from the university. 

"Memories accessed by a familiar scent tend to be very vivid, with a more intense feeling of being ‘real,’ likely due at least in part to the engagement of emotions via the amygdala," Dr. Krystine Batcho, PhD, a licensed psychologist ad professor at Le Moyne University in Syracuse, New York, explained to Fox News Digital. 

Batcho was not involved with the study.

As Young told Fox News Digital, anyone could use scents as a means of recalling vivid and specific memories.

"Sit with an odor and really focus on the memory and try to relive it," Young suggested. 

"Practice recalling these types of memories so that when you need to recall one in daily life — for things like problem-solving and emotion regulation — you will easily be able to do so."

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In the study, the team of researchers looked at 32 individuals between 18 and 55 years of age who had a diagnosis of MDD. 

The participants were given 12 samples of scents in opaque glass jars. They were then asked to recall a specific memory for each of 12 different words. 

Each person rated the memory as positive or negative, and also rated the level of arousal and vividness. The individuals also indicated whether they thought of the memory often or not until that particular moment, according to the study.

Memories cued by odors were more specific than the ones sparked by verbal cues, the investigators found.

Participants also tended to recall more positive memories and fewer negative ones, and they rated these memories as more arousing and vivid when using odor cues compared to verbal cues.

"This study just shows that odors are effective at cuing memories when words are not," Young said.

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Although the investigators did not measure depressive symptoms nor expect them to change in this short study, Young noted that improving memory recall should boost problem-solving and emotion regulation and might help to alleviate depression. 

"This is a future direction for this work, now that we know smells are such effective cues in these patients," he told Fox News Digital. 

Batcho, the psychologist from Le Moyne University, noted that fragrance is an especially powerful trigger for retrieving autobiographical memories.  

"While verbal material is also able to retrieve memories, words function at a higher, more abstract level than sensory stimuli," she told Fox News Digital. "Depression can trap a person in a counterproductive cycle of sadness by triggering sad memories."

Certain types of memories are likely to be more beneficial in alleviating depression, the expert said.

"Reliving the best times can help break the depression cycle and begin to restore more positive thoughts and feelings," Batcho said.

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"Nostalgic memories have been shown to elevate mood, buffer anxiety, counteract loneliness and strengthen social connectedness," she went on. "Fragrances associated with positive past experiences would be the most effective in retrieving nostalgic memories."

Specific fragrances are often associated with people, places or special occasions that bring joy, according to the expert.

"Our mother's favorite perfume, the fragrance of flowers in the garden where we fell in love, or the aroma of holiday foods can revive the positive feelings we once enjoyed," she said.

Dr. Nancy Frye, PhD, a professor of psychology at Long Island University in Brookville, New York, who was not involved with the study, commented on the significance of the findings.

"It can be hard for people who are suffering from depression to remember things other than sad memories," she told Fox News Digital. 

"We're better able to remember things that match the mood we're currently in, according to the mood-congruent memory effect," Frye said. "So it's easier to remember happy memories when we're happy, and it's easier to remember sad memories when we're sad."

"This research gives a promising direction to look in to help people with depression."

Based on this initial study, the researchers aim to complete larger studies with healthy control groups to further investigate the link between scents and memories in those with depression.

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Health's weekend read includes kidney donations, cancer prevention, measles vaccinations and more

Fox News Digital publishes an array of health pieces all week long to keep you in the know on a range of wellness topics: disease prevention, nutrition, medical research, health care and much more — plus, personal stories of people and families overcoming huge obstacles.

This weekend, check out some of the top stories of the week in Health that you may have missed, or have been meaning to check out. 

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These are just a few of what's new, of course. 

Many more can be seen at http://www.foxnews/health. 

Check out this selection!

Two hard-to-match transplant patients 250 miles apart started the year of 2024 with shining new hope for long, healthy lives — thanks to the collaboration of two Texas hospitals. The donors, recipients and doctors shared the events leading up to their surgeries. Click here to get the story.

Lucid Diagnostics, a New York-based biotech company, created a vitamin-sized diagnostic to help prevent esophageal cancer. Fox News Digital spoke with Lishan Aklog, M.D., chair and CEO of Lucid, and Dr. Bruce Greenwald, a leading gastroenterologist at the Greenebaum Comprehensive Cancer Center at University of Maryland Medical Center, about how the new test could revolutionize esophageal cancer screening. Click here to get the story.

We’ve all heard the widespread recommendation of hitting 10,000 steps per day for optimal health. Yet some groups of people — such as women over age 60 — may not need that many. A new study reveals the recommended number of steps to reduce heart disease risk in women over 60. Click here to get the story.

Coffee in the morning is a ritual for many people — but is it ever too early in the day to indulge? Sleep experts weighed in on whether it’s OK to grab a cup as soon as you wake up, or if you should wait a while. Click here to get the story.

Researchers from the USC Leonard Davis School of Gerontology in Los Angeles found that adopting a fasting-like diet could help slow down aging. They revealed how the fasting-mimicking diet was shown to reduce biological age. Click here to get the story.

In the first update to the CDC’s quarantine guidelines since late 2021, the public health agency has called off the 5-day isolation guidance for those with COVID. Here’s what doctors had to say about the change. Click here to get the story.

An NFL sports dietitian offered a few healthy alternatives for those who don’t like H20. He also warned against unhealthy beverage choices and shared warning signs of dehydration. Click here to get the story.

Some doctors are saying that those who received the measles vaccine in the ‘70s or ’80s may no longer be protected against the contagious virus. Infectious disease experts shared what you can do to determine your level of immunity. Click here to get the story.

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Obesity is ‘exploding,’ with more than 12% of people classified as obese worldwide, study finds: ‘Big trouble’

One in every eight people globally qualifies as obese, according to a new study published in The Lancet on Feb. 29.

As of 2022, more than one billion people — 43% of adults — were living with obesity across the world, according to researchers from the NCD Risk Factor Collaboration, a global network of health scientists.

The number of obese adults has more than doubled since 1990. 

Among children between ages five and 19, the obesity rate has quadrupled, according to a press release from the World Health Organization (WHO).

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The researchers analyzed data from 3,663 population-based studies with 222 million participants, using different body mass index (BMI) measurements for adults, children and teens.

The data was collected between 1990 and 2022 across 200 countries and territories, according to the findings in The Lancet.

Out of the 200 countries, the U.S. ranked 36th for obesity.

"This new study highlights the importance of preventing and managing obesity from early life to adulthood, through diet, physical activity and adequate care, as needed," said Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, director-general of WHO, in the release. 

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"Getting back on track to meet the global targets for curbing obesity will take the work of governments and communities, supported by evidence-based policies from WHO and national public health agencies," he went on. 

"Importantly, it requires the cooperation of the private sector, which must be accountable for the health impacts of their products."

Dr. Marc Siegel, clinical professor of medicine at NYU Langone Medical Center and a Fox News medical contributor, said the world is in "big trouble" in terms of undernutrition and obesity. 

"In terms of undernutrition, it is a public health challenge in many places, including Asia and Africa, though overall rates have dropped," Siegel, who was not involved in study, told Fox News Digital.

"By comparison, obesity is exploding," he added.

A primary cause of obesity is poor diet, including too many carbohydrates and fats and too few proteins and vegetables, according to the doctor.

"In poor areas, this may be cost-related in part," he said.

In cases where it’s not an economic issue, Siegel suggested countering obesity by increasing the intake of vegetables, fiber and fish and decreasing the consumption of alcohol, bread, pasta, rice and desserts.

"We have far too much processed food with chemicals that produce weight gain," said Siegel. "We should fight back by trying to use natural foods (farm to table) as much as possible."

He also emphasized the importance of eating smaller portions, increasing water intake and exercising regularly to help reduce hunger and cravings.

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"We also have effective weight loss drugs — semaglutide (Ozempic and Wegovy) and tirzepatide (Mounjaro and Zepbound) — but they should be reserved for those who are truly obese and have failed lifestyle modifications above," Siegel said.

"Diabetics must be first in line for these drugs as production shortages are overcome, followed by those most in need, but they can certainly make a difference in terms of improving insulin function, improving efficiency of glucose metabolism and decreasing hunger."

Obesity is a primary driver of the leading causes of death, including diabetes, heart disease, stroke and some types of cancer, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

Fox News Digital reached out to the study researchers for comment.

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Measles vaccinations given in '70s and '80s may have worn off by now, doctor warns

If you were vaccinated for measles in the 1970s or '80s, there’s a chance the protection has worn off by now, some doctors are warning.

Amid the current measles outbreak in Florida, USF College of Public Health associate professor Jill Roberts spoke to FOX 13 in Tampa about the possibility of legacy vaccines becoming less effective over time.

The measles vaccine was first introduced in 1968.

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Three years later, in 1971, the MMR vaccine made its debut. 

This combination vaccine provides a trifecta of protection against measles, mumps and rubella.

A couple of decades after the release of the MMR vaccine, measles was declared eliminated in the U.S. in 2000. 

For those who received measles vaccinations in the ‘70s and ’80s — mainly people currently in their 40s and 50s — Roberts recommends checking with a health care provider about their status.

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"There's absolutely no risk in getting another MMR, so if you don't know, just go get another shot," she advised. "They're inexpensive and widely available."

Measles is a highly contagious virus for those who have not previously been infected or vaccinated, Roberts warned — with up to a 90% chance of transmission.

Dr. Jacob Glanville, a virology expert and founder of Centivax, a San Francisco pharmaceutical company, warned about recent outbreaks in under-vaccinated communities. 

"If you have ever received the MMR vaccine, you likely still have immunity, although talk to your doctor about a measles titer test if you have concerns," he told Fox News Digital.

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The titer test measures an individual’s level of immunity to the virus.

Dr. Marc Siegel, clinical professor of medicine at NYU Langone Medical Center and a Fox News medical contributor, emphasized the importance of measles vaccinations — "particularly with the amount of circulating measles virus and underimmunized people coming into the U.S. at a time when there is a big measles surge around the world."

"This is not yet an official suggestion anywhere, but I do check measles titers in many of my patients, and if they are low, I may give a booster as a precaution," he told Fox News Digital.  

"The protection from the original vaccines may wear off over time."

As of Feb. 29, a total of 41 measles cases had been reported by 16 jurisdictions: Arizona, California, Florida, Georgia, Indiana, Louisiana, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Jersey, New York City, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Virginia and Washington, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

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CDC drops its 5-day COVID isolation guidelines

It is no longer necessary to isolate for five days after testing positive for COVID-19, according to a Friday statement from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

The new guidance tells people to stay home if they are sick, but when they are feeling better and have been fever-free for 24 hours, they can return to school or work.

This is the same guidance given for flu and other respiratory illnesses.

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"Our goal here is to protect those at risk for severe illness while also reassuring folks that these recommendations are simple, clear, easy-to-understand and can be followed," said Mandy Cohen, CDC director, in a statement to media on Friday. 

The updated guidance "reflects the progress we’ve made in protecting against severe illness from COVID," she added.

Prior to Friday’s update, the CDC called for people who test positive for the virus to "stay home for at least five days and isolate from others in your home," a recommendation that was implemented in late 2021. 

At the start of the pandemic, the agency had recommended a 10-day isolation period for people who tested positive for the virus.

The announcement comes two weeks after reports began circulating that the agency was considering dropping the quarantine recommendation.

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Some states had already relaxed their own guidelines prior to the CDC’s official update.

In both Oregon and California, people with COVID have not had to isolate at all — as long as they have been fever-free for 24 hours without using fever-reducing medicines and their other COVID symptoms are improving, according to each state’s health department.

Dr. Marc Siegel, clinical professor of medicine at NYU Langone Medical Center and a Fox News medical contributor, interviewed Dr. Mandy Cohen, head of the CDC, earlier this month.

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"She told me that they are shifting their focus more toward putting doctors and their patients in charge in general, acknowledging individual differences," he told Fox News Digital.

Siegel said he is in agreement with removing the five-day isolation period.

"The pandemic has been over for several months, and though there was an uptick this winter, with over 20,000 hospitalizations and 1,500 deaths per week at one point, it is now diminishing," the doctor said.

As of the most recently reported week ending Feb. 24, the share of administered COVID tests with positive results was 7.4%, a 0.6% decrease from the prior week, per CDC data.

Of all emergency department visits, 1.8% of them resulted in a diagnosis of COVID, a 0.9% week-over-week decline.

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COVID-related hospitalizations decreased 10.3% from the prior week.

The share of all U.S. deaths due to COVID was 2.1%, which reflected an 8.7% decrease.

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Should you drink coffee first thing in the morning, or wait a while? Experts reveal caffeine guidance

Coffee in the morning is a ritual for many people — but is it ever too early in the a.m. to indulge?

Brewing a cup or a pot of coffee as soon as you wake up might not give you the biggest energy boost throughout the day, according to sleep experts. 

Dr. Deborah Lee, a U.K.-based doctor, said in a statement to Fox News Digital that drinking coffee first thing in the morning might not be the best bet. 

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"When you wake up, your stress hormone cortisol level, which is a hormone that enhances alertness and focus, as well as regulates your metabolism and immune system response, is at its peak," said Lee, who works with bed manufacturer Get Laid Beds.

"Elevated levels of cortisol may impact your immune system, and if they’re already at their peak when waking up, drinking coffee as soon as your eyes open may do more harm than good, and may even make you immune to caffeine over a long period of time," Lee added.

Cortisol follows a rhythm "specific to your own sleeping cycle," the expert said, peaking within 30 to 45 minutes of waking up and slowly declining throughout the day.

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"That explains why you may peak in the morning and get more tired at night," she noted.

Taking this rhythm into consideration, Lee suggested that the best time to have caffeine would be at least 45 minutes after waking up, when "your cortisol rhythm starts to dip."

"The best time to drink coffee would typically be mid-to-late morning, when your cortisol is a lot lower and you start to feel that energy slump," she said. 

"But of course, not too late in the afternoon — as it could affect your sleep."

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Someone who wakes up at around 7 a.m., for example, might wait until around 10 a.m. or noon to have the first cup of coffee, "when your body and mind will appreciate it the most, and you’ll get the most benefits from the caffeine," Lee said.

Dr. Wendy Troxel, a Utah-based sleep expert and senior behavioral scientist at the RAND Corporation, had a different take on the matter. Delaying caffeine might not actually make a difference, she told Fox News Digital.

"There really is no scientific evidence that having caffeine first thing in the morning versus delaying it for a couple of hours after awakening has any differential effects on alertness," she said. 

Troxel suggested that coffee drinkers should experiment with what works best for them.

"For some people, waking up and having a glass of water to rehydrate and then having coffee works well — but for others, the morning ritual of having a cup of coffee first thing upon awakening is just too good to give up," she said. 

"So, I think it’s mostly a matter of personal preference."

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Since caffeine works by "blocking sleep-promoting receptors in your brain called adenosine receptors," Lee said that people who drink coffee too late in the day may struggle to sleep at night.

"However, this is different for different people, and only you know your own caffeine tolerance," she said.

The average half-life of caffeine is around six hours, according to Troxel, but it can remain in the body for up to 10 hours.

"Given that caffeine is a stimulant, it can powerfully disrupt sleep if consumed too late in the day," she said. 

To reduce the likelihood of disrupted sleep, Lee recommended avoiding it within eight hours of bedtime. 

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"That means if your bedtime is 10 p.m., you should consume caffeine no later than 2 p.m. — but if you’re someone who is strongly affected by caffeine, you want to back that time up even earlier," she said.

"Try switching to herbal teas if you need a hot drink to stay warm, or decaf to trick yourself into thinking you’re getting your caffeine fix," she suggested.

Troxel mentioned that there is "substantial evidence" that drinking coffee earlier in the day and in moderation — about one to two cups per day — is associated with "increased alertness and energy, better concentration, better performance and reduced risk of certain chronic diseases."

"However, excessive amounts of coffee, or coffee (and other caffeinated products) consumed later in the day can lead to negative side effects, including anxiety, jitters, rapid heart rate and insomnia," Troxel added.

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