PARLIAMENTARY WRITTEN QUESTION
Bowel Cancer: Screening (16 February 2024)

There are several different stages to testing for Lynch syndrome. We know from local audit data that, in line with the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence’s (NICE) guidelines, the mean proportion of colorectal cancer patients who receive an initial tumour test, immunohistochemistry or microsatellite instability, for Lynch syndrome is 94%, and for endometrial cancer is 95%. Although some funding has been provided to Cancer Alliances by NHS England to support this testing, we do not hold records of the number of tests carried out nationally.

Where the result of the initial tumour test indicates Lynch syndrome, patients are referred for germline testing, which is commissioned directly by NHS England. Testing of family members of Lynch syndrome patients is not a direct Cancer Alliance responsibility. The 17 NHS Clinical Genetics Services are commissioned to provide predictive testing for family members when a diagnosis of Lynch Syndrome has been made in a first degree relative, in accordance with NICE guidance.