SOME of the region’s hospital trusts have been accused of not testing for a rare genetic syndrome which can increase the risk of bowel cancer by 80 per cent.

Lynch syndrome is an inherited condition estimated to cause about a thousand cases of bowel cancer every year – the UK’s second biggest cancer killer.

Clinical guidelines from the Royal College of Pathologists (RCP) - in place for the past two years - says a simple set of tests, which can help identify people with Lynch syndrome, should automatically be carried out on all those under the age of 50 diagnosed with bowel cancer.

However, research by the charity Bowel Cancer UK and the RCP found variations in genetic testing across the UK.

In this region, Gateshead, Northumbria and South Tees NHS hospital trusts don't routinely carry out screening tests, although they are due to be discussed or trialled.

County Durham and Darlington, Newcastle and North Tees trusts said they do perform the tests.

Bowel Cancer UK said just under a third per cent of UK hospitals do not test patients under 50 diagnosed with bowel cancer.

Even among those that do, 45 per cent were not performing it automatically as stated in the guidelines.

The test informs treatment options and helps identify family members who may also have the condition and be at risk, it said.

Asha Kaur, policy manager at Bowel Cancer UK, said: “Testing should be performed at diagnosis and that’s just not happening. We urge hospitals across the UK to work together to carry out this lifesaving test.

“There is a simple and cost effective test that can detect Lynch syndrome and then place people in surveillance to help stop bowel cancer.”

Dr Nick Wadd, colorectal multi-disciplinary team leader at the James Cook University Hospital, Middlesbrough, part of the South Tees Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, said: “Our current local guidance does not recommend routine testing for this group of patients as this would need to be approved at a regional level with the Northern Cancer Network.

“We will be discussing this at a forthcoming meeting. However, we do perform testing where it is appropriate with patients on a case by case basis after reviewing their individual care plans and needs.”

A spokeswoman for North Tees and Hartlepool Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust said: “The trust recommends that all eligible patients diagnosed with bowel cancer are screened for Lynch syndrome.”

The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) is due to publish new guidance on testing for Lynch syndrome in October.