Man's shock over inherited increased cancer risk

A man shocked to find out he had a significantly increased risk of cancer after his brother was diagnosed with the disease is keen to spread the word about a little-known genetic predisposition.

Jamie Price, 33, from Craven Arms in Shropshire, discovered he and his father had the inherited condition Lynch syndrome during his brother Andrew's treatment for bowel cancer.

The gardener has just completed a 50km (31 mile) run to raise awareness, gathering more than £1,800 for the charity Lynch Syndrome UK.

While the condition means his risk of bowel cancer is raised by up to 80%, he said: "In a way I feel perhaps lucky because I'm being tested now, whereas I could have just gone on oblivious."

Andrew, who lives in Presteigne, in Powys, said his world was turned upside down when he was found to have colorectal cancer in October 2024, at the age of 34.

"I was left wondering how this could have happened. I was young, fit and healthy. I hadn't smoked for years. None of it seemed to make sense," he said.

He went through immunotherapy, radiotherapy and chemotherapy at hospital in Hereford, followed by major surgery in Solihull.

When testing in Birmingham detected he had Lynch syndrome, initial relief to have an explanation for his cancer quickly turned to fear for his loved ones.

"I look at my two boys knowing they each have a 50% chance of inheriting the same genetic condition," he said.

"But because of the awareness, research and screening programmes now available, there is hope."

When the boys reach 18 they can be tested to see if they carry the gene, which would then lead to regular monitoring.

Now in remission, he added: "That is why raising awareness of Lynch syndrome matters."

The condition could affect as many as one in 278 people, according to Lynch Syndrome UK, and can be detected via a blood test.

"Lynch syndrome basically is a gene that you're lacking," Jamie explained. "Without that gene, you're more susceptible to bowel cancer, prostate, and for women it can be ovaries as well."

He said none of the family had ever heard of the condition, adding: "Even when I went to the doctor she had to Google it."

Even though he was mentally prepared for the outcome of his testing, the results were still "a bit of a shock", with his dad, Mark, also testing positive.

"That means other members of our family will have to be tested in that bloodline too."

The diagnoses mean colonoscopies every other year for the men going forward.

"Because I am being tested quite regularly, it is quite reassuring," Jamie said.

The gardener completed his marathon run between Shrewsbury and Church Stretton last Saturday, accompanied by his cousin and a friend over a period of nine-and-a-half hours.

He added his older brother's "amazing" positivity had spurred him on in his determination to "get the message across".

"His positive attitude has helped me be positive about it."

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