Get notified of page updates

Cancer Risk

Read about different genes that are linked to hereditary cancer, their associated risks and guidelines for screening, preventing and treating cancers in people with inherited mutations in these genes.

Stay up to date on research and information

Sign Up for FORCE Newsletters

Hereditary Cancer and Genetic Testing > Hereditary Cancer Genes and Risk > By Gene Mutation > MSH6 (Lynch syndrome) > Cancer Risk

The Basics Cancer Risk Risk Management Cancer Treatment Other Considerations
Glossary on
off

Cancer Risk Associated with Inherited Mutations

If you have tested positive for an  mutation, we recommend speaking with a genetics expert who can look at your personal and family history of cancer, and can help you decide on a plan for managing your cancer risk. Note that when we use "men" and "women" we are referring to the sex you were assigned at birth.

Risk for cancer in people with an mutation. Source: NCCN: Genetic/Familiar High-Risk Assessment: Colorectal Version 2.2023
Cancer type Lifetime risk with for people with mutation Lifetime risk for people in general population Average age of diagnosis for people with mutation Average age of diagnosis for people in the general population
Colorectal 10 - 44% 4.2% 42-69 years 68 - 72 years
Endometrial 16 - 49% 3.1% 53 - 55 years 60 years
Ovarian <1 - 13% 1.3% 46 years 63 years
Kidney/ureter .7 - 5.5% 1.2% 54 - 61 years Not specified
Bladder 1 - 8.2% 2.4% 71 years 73 years
May be elevated 11.6 63 years 66 years
Gastric  <1 - 7.9% 0.9% 52 years 68 years
Small bowel <1 - 4% 0.3% 48 years 60s - 70s
Brain  .8 - 1.8% 0.6% No data 59 years

People with an inherited  mutation may have an increased risk for other cancers. The exact risks for the following cancers are unknown:

  • biliary tract cancer
  • female breast cancer
  • pancreatic cancer
  • sebaceous skin growths

Research on how inherited mutations in the  gene affect cancer risk is ongoing.

  Lifetime colorectal cancer risk for people with <button x-data class='glossary-tip tt-msh6' x-tooltip='<p>MSH6 is the name of a gene linked to cancer. Inherited mutations in MSH6 are associated with Lynch syndrome, which can cause cancer to run in families. People with Lynch syndrome have an&nbsp;increased risk for&nbsp;colorectal, endometrial, ovarian, pancreatic and other cancers.&nbsp;</p> <p>Also see Lynch syndrome.&nbsp;</p>' >MSH6</button> mutations    Graph of lifetime risk for endometrial cancer in woman with <button x-data class='glossary-tip tt-msh6' x-tooltip='<p>MSH6 is the name of a gene linked to cancer. Inherited mutations in MSH6 are associated with Lynch syndrome, which can cause cancer to run in families. People with Lynch syndrome have an&nbsp;increased risk for&nbsp;colorectal, endometrial, ovarian, pancreatic and other cancers.&nbsp;</p> <p>Also see Lynch syndrome.&nbsp;</p>' >MSH6</button> mutation

      Graph with risk for bladder cancer in person with <button x-data class='glossary-tip tt-msh6' x-tooltip='<p>MSH6 is the name of a gene linked to cancer. Inherited mutations in MSH6 are associated with Lynch syndrome, which can cause cancer to run in families. People with Lynch syndrome have an&nbsp;increased risk for&nbsp;colorectal, endometrial, ovarian, pancreatic and other cancers.&nbsp;</p> <p>Also see Lynch syndrome.&nbsp;</p>' >MSH6</button> mutation

 

It is important to note that cancer risks are estimates over the course of a person's lifetime. Your lifetime risk and risk over the next five years will vary depending on:

  • current age
  • sex assigned at birth
  • specific mutation
  • personal and family health history
  • diet, exercise, lifestyle and other factors

Get Support
Get Support

FORCE offers many peer support programs for people with inherited mutations. 

Open Clinical Trials
Open Clinical Trials

The following screening and prevention studies are open to people with . 

Colorectal cancer

Gynecologic cancers

 cancer

  • NCT03805919: Men at High Genetic Risk for  Cancer. This is a  cancer screening study using  in high-risk men. This study is open to men with  and other mutations.
  • NCT05129605: Cancer Genetic Risk Evaluation and Screening Study (PROGRESS).  This study will look at how well  MRI works as a screening tool for men at high risk for cancer. This study is open to men with an in , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , and other genes. 

Pancreatic cancer

  • NCT02206360: Pancreatic Cancer Early Detection Program. This pancreatic cancer screening study uses esophageal  to screen for pancreatic cancer in high-risk people. The study is open to people who have a family history of pancreatic cancer and an  mutation or other mutation linked to increased cancer risk.
  • NCT03568630: Blood Markers of Early Pancreas Cancer.  This pancreatic cancer study involves blood samples taken over time to look for biomarkers of pancreatic cancer in high-risk people. The study is open to people with an  mutation or other mutation linked to increased cancer risk.
  • NCT03250078: A Pancreatic Cancer Screening Study in Hereditary High-Risk Individuals. The main goal of this study is to screen and detect pancreatic cancer and precursor lesions in individuals with a strong family history or genetic predisposition to pancreatic cancer.  and magnetic cholangiopancreatography (MRI/MRCP) will be utilized to screen for  pancreatic lesions.

Other clinical trials for patients with endometrial cancer can be found here.

 

Last updated December 31, 2023