The Lynch Syndrome (LS) quality improvement project has been developed to ensure an effective and fast diagnostic pathway from diagnosis of colorectal cancer to diagnosis of LS.

The aims are to:

1. Meet the NHS Long Term Plan ambition to diagnose cancer at an early stage. If all people with colorectal cancer and their family members were tested for LS and enrolled into appropriate surveillance pathways, by 2028 we would expect up to 380 more colorectal cancers to be diagnosed early. That’s up to a 0.9% point increase against the Long Term Plan ambition to diagnose 75% of cancers early by 2028.
2. Increase the identification and diagnosis of LS. This is a top priority, as it is estimated that we only know about 5% of the LS cases. It is estimated that this increased identification and diagnosis of LS could save over 300 lives annually in England.
3. Improve cancer prevention through identification of individuals at risk by genetic testing of unaffected family members through cascade testing. Cost effective treatments and services are available to help people with LS manage and reduce their risk.
4. Implementing stratified medicine, including optimal treatment selection and surveillance packages, to prevent cancer recurrence

With this strategy we will maximise opportunities to save the lives of patients with LS, and those with sporadic Microsatellite Instability (MSI) tumours who have a diagnosis of colorectal cancer, and the lives of their asymptomatic relatives. This can ensure minimal variability in patient care, appropriate surveillance and implementation of other broader prevention and treatment strategies.