Georgia Hurst

Seven years ago, I was diagnosed with Lynch syndrome, a hereditary cancer condition which significantly increases my chances of developing early-onset cancer.

In honor of Ovarian Cancer Month, it is only appropriate for me to discuss ovarian cancer. "Ovarian cancer" are two of the scariest words in any language for a woman to hear — screening for it at this time is poor and more often than not, by the time it is detected it is too late.

Of the possible 1,000,000 Lynch syndrome carriers in the USA alone, it is estimated that only about 5 percent have been tested.

There are about one million people in the United States with Lynch syndrome and yet, it is estimated that only 5 percent of this particular population is aware of the fact they hold one of the five Lynch syndrome genes.

Lynch syndrome is an inherited cancer susceptibility syndrome caused by mutations in one of five DNA mismatch repair (MMR) genes.

There will be another #Hcchat on Twitter this month with special guest Ellen Matloff.

Greek coffee and longevity on the Greek island of Ikaria.

As Colon Cancer Awareness Month approaches, know your risks for both cancer and Lynch Syndrome, a genetic syndrome that could make you more susceptible to a number of different cancers.

There is a constellation of factors that will determine your health. Your body, mind and environment are all important variables. Here are my thoughts and what I plan to do in 2016.