Patient Voices: Lynch Syndrome UK at the EHTG meeting in Heidelberg

This weekend Lynch Syndrome UK Trustee, Tracy Smith, had the tremendous privilege of representing Lynch Syndrome UK at the European Hereditary Tumour Group meeting in Heidelberg, Germany.

Taking to the stage, Tracy spoke openly about the realities of living with Lynch syndrome, weaving together her personal journey and the vital advocacy and support work we champion at the charity here in the UK.

Something that is close to her heart, she went on to highlight the stark inequalities in care across our nations, drawing attention to the remarkable strides driven by the English National Project, and contrasting them with the ongoing challenges faced in Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland.

Reflecting on her talk, Tracy said "It was intensely empowering to stand alongside clinicians and researchers, reminding everyone that patient voices are essential in shaping more equitable hereditary cancer services for all."

During the meeting Tracy had the pleasure of meeting another Lynch syndrome patient group, SemiColon, based in Germany, as well as another patient advocate, Georgina Hoffman, whose story was both hard to hear but intensely important to be told in this arena.

The meeting was also a great opportunity to catch up to reconnect with Laura Monje-Garcia, Helen Francis, Professor Ranjit Manchanda, Dr Neil Ryan. Sir Professor John Burn and Dr Kevin Monahan, all researchers and medical professionals who work tirelessly to make life better for Lynch syndrome patients here in the UK.

The European Hereditary Tumour Group meeting was held in Heidelberg, Germany from Friday 19th September - Sunday 21st September 2025. You can view the full programme here.