Living Proof by Tiffany Graham Charkosky: Living With Lynch Syndrome

Living Proof is a beautiful memoir that reflects on what it’s like to live with the genetic disorder Lynch Syndrome. For those unfamiliar, Lynch Syndrome means one or more of your genes are mutated, compromising your body’s ability to repair DNA. This puts you at a significantly higher risk for developing cancers such as colon, ovarian, stomach, pancreas, and more. I also have Lynch Syndrome, which is why this book resonated with me on a profound, personal level.

Book cover of 'Living Proof: How Love Defied Genetic Legacy' by Tiffany Graham Charkosky, featuring an illustration of a woman in a red top against a textured background. It's about a woman with lynch syndrome.

5/5 stars ★★★★★

To read more about the book: https://amzn.to/4nbDwtu

Published on: October 21, 2025

From the publisher: When a hereditary cancer threat echoes her mother’s journey, one woman chooses to rewrite her story―crafting a radiant memoir about embracing life’s precious moments and finding strength in the infinite power of family love.

What I Liked About Living Proof:

My favorite part of Charkosky’s book is her honesty! I related to so much of her book that I found myself constantly highlighting sections and saying in my head, “Yes, that is so true.” When she found out that her mom had colon cancer, her life turned upside down. She was only 11, and she went from having her mom be a total participant in her and her sibling’s lives to watching her struggle through the stages of cancer.

What makes this memoir so compelling is how Charkosky structures it, alternating between her childhood, spent watching her mother struggle with cancer, and her adult life as a mother herself living with the same genetic disorder. This dual perspective is incredibly effective. She shares her worries, joys, and fears with such honesty that anyone who has dealt with illness, loss, or a chronic health condition will instantly relate.

Favorite Quotes About Living With a Parent Who Has Lynch Syndrome:

“I became afraid to ask my mom for anything, of doing something wrong, making her worse, of having any needs at all.”
- If you have ever had someone sick in your household, you will be able to relate.
“A sick mother changes the entire biome of her family, with everyone around her adapting in their own ways to a new environment.”
- I was 13 when my mom had colon cancer. It was one of my biggest life-changing events. Throughout her chemotherapy, she was sick after each treatment and then lost her hair. She truly tried to make things normal for her kids, and looking back, I am thankful and realize how strong she really was during that time.

Favorite Quotes About Living With Lynch Syndrome:

“It was lonely having a mutation I’d never heard of and, it seemed, hardly anyone else had either.”
- Even though statistics show that one in 300 people have it, most people don’t know that they carry this gene mutation. It is hereditary, but generations can pass before the mutation is discovered through genetic testing.
“I didn’t want the people I knew in real life to associate me with this mutation.”
- I don’t speak about having Lynch Syndrome very often. I picture myself like a Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle when I talk about my gene mutation. I’m starting to realize, though, that I should. The more people that have genetic testing done, the more people that can be saved with their new knowledge.
“I didn’t comprehend until that day that cancer isn’t just one disease, nor is cancer of a certain organ one disease. Cancer is a collection of thousands of different diseases, each operating in its own way to edge out a body’s healthy cells.”
- My doctor explained that having Lynch Syndrome is like missing the “spell check” on a word document. I liked that analogy.
“These annual appointments were part of the Plan and they put me on edge, making me question every twinge.” “…the reality was that a lot of my plan was about finding cancer early, not stopping it altogether…” “…we didn’t talk about the ongoing emotional toll this information might have one us.”
- If you have Lynch Syndrome, you know the amount of yearly tests to screen for cancer is exhausting. However, I feel so fortunate to have this knowledge. I feel blessed that my doctors get me in right away with something seems “off” on my skin or how I’m feeling. I agree with Charkoski when she talks about the anxiety that leads up to these tests and how it has almost turned her into a hypochondriac when almost anything seems wrong.
“…we want to remain healthy for ourselves and we need to respect the fear and anxiety our cancer risks instill in the people we love, particularly our spouses, who have chosen to love and build futures with us.”
- Sometimes we can get so wrapped up in our life and health, that we forget what it also does to our family members. My husband is incredibly supportive, but I know it takes a toll on him as well. I did laugh at her experiences with her husband after each colonoscopy.
“It was living your life with the clear acceptance of what it was and not being destroyed by what it wasn’t.”
- I want to remember this quote. I think it’s impactful advice for everyone. Live your life and try not to worry about what hasn’t happened yet.

Final Thoughts on Living Proof:

As you can see, I really enjoyed this memoir. It will speak to so many people. Even if you don’t know anyone with Lynch Syndrome or you haven’t had someone die that is close to you, you will still appreciate this memoir. The writing is honest and it pulls at your heartstrings. It also gives you hope!