Dr. Henry T. Lynch, known to many as “the father of hereditary cancer detection and prevention" died Sunday at the age of 91.
Lynch was the founder and director of the Hereditary Cancer Center at Creighton, which opened in 1984, and dedicated his life to cancer research, especially hereditary cancers. Lynch studied the cancer histories of more than 3,000 families in his more than 50-year career tracking the genetic linkages in certain forms of cancer.
“Dr. Lynch has captained the hereditary cancer ship for 50 years, and it is sad to see his journey end,” says Dr. Robert Dunlay, dean of the School of Medicine. “However, the Henry Lynch Cancer Centers at CHI Health Immanuel Medical Center and Creighton University-Bergan Mercy Medical Center will serve as a platform that will ensure Henry’s legacy of excellence in service to others continues here at Creighton.”
Lynch began studying potential hereditary causes of nonpolyposis colon cancer in the 1960s, when medical orthodoxy said that cancer was not a hereditary disease. Lynch syndrome was first identified by the budding geneticist in the early 1960s. But, Lynch said, he had a hard fight on his hands to convince anyone of his findings.
“Nobody believed me,” he said. “At that time, cancer was all thought to be caused by environment. Exposure to chemicals. But I knew we had something here. I knew we could potentially save lives.”
In 1984, the term “Lynch syndrome” was coined to recognize his contributions in identifying the strain of hereditary nonpolyposis colon cancer. His identification of the Lynch syndrome, provided a more accurate prediction of a patient’s risk for the disease, allowing for earlier detection and treatment.
A memorial Mass will be held at 10 a.m. Monday, June 10 in St. John’s Church.