A group of scientists headed by Dr. Marie-OdileRethoré from the Institut Jérôme Lejeune, recently published a new proposal for cancer screening guidelines for the Ds community.
Based on the fact that people with Ds are affected by cancer differently than those without – for example they get solid tumors half as much – these doctors suggest changing the way doctors perform cancer screening tests.
The specific tumor profile in DS warrants an adapted screening program for breast, colon, cervical and testicular neoplasia.
- “We propose that adults with DS should participate in colon cancer screening.
- For women with DS, breast cancer screening is not recommended, but annual clinical monitoring should be conducted, with the option to perform ultrasound or MRI examination in suspect cases.
- For cervical cancer, screening could be proposed to women who are sexually active beginning at age 25 years.
- Annual surveillance for testicular cancer via palpation by a health professional is preferable from ages 15 to 45.
- In case of additional genetic predisposition in a person with DS, a surveillance similar to other family members is recommended.”