Lynch Syndrome Alert: Sperm Donor’s Legacy Raises Cancer Risk Concerns
A potential health crisis is unfolding in Israel, where hundreds of individuals may be at increased risk for cancer due to a sperm donor carrying a rare genetic mutation linked to Lynch syndrome. The Israeli Ministry of Health has issued an alert following the finding,which was brought to their attention by the donor’s family after his death.
The donor, who was active in fertility clinics in central Israel from 1974 to 1985, may have fathered hundreds of children, according to ministry estimates. This revelation has prompted widespread concern and a call for genetic testing.
Understanding Lynch Syndrome and Its Risks
Lynch syndrome is a hereditary condition that considerably elevates the risk of developing various cancers, most notably colorectal and endometrial (uterine) cancer. Individuals with Lynch syndrome have a 50% chance of inheriting the mutated gene from an affected parent.
the Ministry of Health reports that the descendants of the donor face ample risks:
- Colorectal Cancer: Approximately 70% to 80% of carriers will develop colorectal cancer during their lifetime.
- Endometrial Cancer: 50% to 70% of women carrying the mutation will develop uterine cancer.
- Ovarian Cancer: About 12% of female carriers will develop ovarian cancer.
- Other Cancers: There are also elevated, though lesser, risks for stomach, urinary tract, breast, gallbladder, pancreatic, and brain cancers.
Ministry of Health Response and Recommendations
The Ministry of Health is urging individuals born through sperm donation in central Israel between 1974 and 1985 to undergo genetic testing. This proactive approach aims to identify carriers of the Lynch syndrome mutation and facilitate early screening and treatment.
There may be families who received sperm donation 40 years ago and hid the donation to their descendants. there is an opening of the Pandora box.Professor Talia Eldar Geva, head of the Fertility and Childbirth Department to the Ministry of Health
Despite the potential for anxiety, health officials emphasize the benefits of early detection.
The discovery of this predisposition can allow early screening and treatment, reducing morbidity and risks.Professor Talia Eldar Geva, head of the Fertility and Childbirth Department to the Ministry of Health
The ministry specifically recommends that people aged 40 to 51, conceived via sperm donation in the specified region and timeframe, seek testing at a genetic institute.
