Have you missed out on this life saving bowel cancer test?

Lynch syndrome is a genetic condition caused by a defect in the cancer preventing mismatch repair gene - resulting in an estimated 1,000 cases of bowel cancer each year. The syndrome

increases the risk of the disease reoccurring, but hospitals can screen patients to check if they are at risk. Bowel Cancer UK said that a lack of systematic testing means that 95 per cent

of the 175,000 people with Lynch syndrome are unaware that they have the condition. People with Lynch syndrome have an increased risk of bowel cancer, cancer of the womb and some other

cancers. An estimated 1,100 cases of bowel cancer can be attributed to Lynch syndrome each year, with many of those affected under the age of 50, according to a new report from the charity.

The children and siblings of those with Lynch syndrome have a 50 per cent chance of having the condition themselves. Those with the condition can benefit from regular monitoring and better

awareness of symptoms of cancers that they are at increased risk of being diagnosed with. But Bowel Cancer UK said that many are unable to seek help because they are not even aware they have

the condition. The charity has set up a petition calling for a national registry to help spot regional differences in care and the development of new guidelines to set out best management

for people with the condition. More than 2,400 people under 50 are diagnosed with bowel cancer in the UK every year. Deborah Alsina, chief executive of Bowel Cancer UK, said: "Until

there is clear local and national leadership and a firm commitment to improve the services for people at high risk of developing bowel cancer, the estimated 175,000 people who carry this

inherited faulty gene will continue to fall through the gaps of health bodies such as the NHS and Public Health England because they are reluctant to take responsibility. "The Breast

Cancer Screening Programme has set a precedent for a national screening programme managing the surveillance of those with a known genetic mutation such as BRCA1 or 2 that increases the risk

of cancer. "A similar programme must now be introduced for those with Lynch syndrome. Until then generations of families will be devastated and lives needlessly lost." Lynch

syndrome is usually suspected if a person is diagnosed with a cancer linked to the condition at a young age and if there is a strong family history of Lynch syndrome-related cancers. JAKE

QUICKENDEN TALKS ABOUT LOSING BOTH HIS DAD AND HIS BROTHER TO BOWEL CANCER Caroline Backhouse, from Fleet, Hampshire, who is a bowel cancer patient, has called for healthcare workers to be

better informed about the condition. The 51-year-old mother-of-two said: "I was referred to a geneticist after chemotherapy, where I was diagnosed with Lynch syndrome. I had never heard

of this, but it highlighted my family history. "My whole family has been devastated by cancer - my mum died of ovarian cancer, her mum died of bowel cancer, my mum's brother died

from cancer in the liver, mum's sister died from ovarian cancer and my mum's other brother died from lung cancer. I have two children, they're too young to be tested at the

moment but that day will come. GETTY More than 2,400 people are diagnosed with bowel cancer every year in the UK "I waited seven months for my genetic counsellor; I don't know why

it took so long. At the appointment we discussed my family history and she said I most likely had Lynch syndrome. A blood sample was taken to confirm the syndrome but I had to chase and

chase for over a year to get the results. "Having bowel cancer is stressful enough and it's not helpful having to chase and inform healthcare professionals about Lynch syndrome.

"More information needs to be provided to healthcare professionals about Lynch syndrome so it's not the patient informing them." This comes after it was revealed eating a

handful of walnuts a day could protect against bowel cancer.