Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsUC and Cancer LinkScreeningPreventive StrategiesFrequently Asked Questions
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
UC and Cancer Link
Screening
Preventive Strategies
Frequently Asked Questions
Ulcerative colitis(UC) is an inflammatory bowel disease that affects the large intestine, also known as thecolon.Symptoms of UC can include bloody stools, pain, and persistent diarrhea.
Verywell / Jessica Olah
Because of this risk, it’s important for those living with ulcerative colitis to be regularly screened for bowel cancer. The number of UC patients diagnosed with bowel cancer has dropped in recent years, and it is believed that more proactive screening has played a role in this decline.
This article will explain more about the link between ulcerative colitis and cancer, the importance of screening, and preventive measures to reduce your risk of cancer.
Ulcerative Colitis and Cancer: What Is the Connection?
People living with ulcerative colitis (UC) are 4 to 10 times more likely to be diagnosed with colorectal cancer compared with the general population.
This is because UC patients have higher levels of inflammation in the colon and an increased risk of developing inflammatorypolyps(abnormal growths) in the lining of the colon or rectum. The majority of polyps are benign (noncancerous), but over time, some polyps can become cancerous.
The exact risk of colorectal cancer for people with UC varies depending on these three factors:
Other Risk Factors
In addition to UC, there are a number of risk factors that may contribute to the development of colorectal cancer. Other possible risk factors are:
Survival Rates
People with UC who do develop colorectal cancer have a slightly worse prognosis than those who don’t have UC. But if the cancer is diagnosed early, it can be treated effectively.
The Importance of Colorectal Cancer Screening
Regular screening for colorectal cancer is important for people living withulcerative colitis(UC) because it increases the likelihood of catching cancer in its earliest, most treatable stages.
Screening is done via acolonoscopy, a procedure in which a long, flexible tube with a camera (a colonoscope) is inserted into the rectum and used to look at the inside of the colon. This allows your doctor to identify and remove any polyps or other tissue that may be precancerous.
Recent technological advances have improved methods for identifying cancer or precancer in the large intestine during a colonoscopy. For instance, achromoendoscopymay be used to identify polyps and precancerous changes in the large intestine. This involves using a blue contrast dye to highlight any changes to the lining of the intestine.
According to theCrohn’s and Colitis Foundation, those who have had UC symptoms for a period of eight or more years should have a colonoscopy every one to two years.The exception to this is those who have both UC and the liver disease PSC. In this case, surveillance through colonoscopy should begin as soon as a UC diagnosis has been given.
What to Expect During a Colonoscopy
Once sedated, your doctor will ask you to lie on your left side, insert the colonoscope through the rectum and use the tool to take pictures. They will also remove any polyps and tissue samples.
The procedure usually takes about 30 minutes, and then you will moved to a recovery room to allow the sedative to wear off. Typically, you will be able to go home the same day.
Strategies to Reduce Your Risk of Colorectal Cancer
Having regular colonoscopies is one of the most important preventive measures people with ulcerative colitis (UC) can take to reduce the risk of colorectal cancer.
There are also other steps people with UC can take to minimize risk, including avoiding smoking, limiting alcohol intake, maintaining a healthy weight, and exercising regularly.
Other tactics that have been shown to reduce the risk of colorectal cancer include the following:
Keep Up With Regular Physicals
Getting an annual physical is always smart, but it’s especially important if you have UC.
During the checkup, your healthcare provider will ask whether your treatments are going well and ensure that screening is performed at the appropriate intervals to catch any cancer in the early stages. Even if your UC symptoms are in remission (period of reduced symptoms), seeing a healthcare provider regularly can help ensure that you stay on the healthy track.
Risks and Complications of Untreated Ulcerative Colitis
Take Prescribed Medications
Inflammation is the biggest factor associated with an increased risk of colorectal cancer, so any medications that have been prescribed to manage inflammation from your UC may play an important role in reducing your cancer risk.
Some limited research has shown a decreased risk of colorectal cancer in UC patients treated with certain anti-inflammatory medications.
Eat a Healthy Diet
Most experts recommend sticking to a low-fat, high-fiber diet, and consuming plenty of antioxidant fruits and vegetables to reduce your overall risk of cancer.
Research has found a convincing link between increased consumption of processed or red meat and higher rates of colorectal cancer.Reducing or limiting your intake of meat, including steak, bacon, sausage, hot dogs, and deli meats like ham and salami, is one way to directly lower your risk of colorectal cancer.
In addition to reducing meat, increasing your intake of fiber,cruciferousvegetables (such as broccoli, Brussels sprouts, kale, and cauliflower), and foods rich in calcium (like milk, cheese, and leafy greens) may also help to lower your colorectal cancer risk.
Ulcerative Colitis Diet: What to Eat for Better Management
Summary
Having ulcerative colitis may increase your risk of developing colorectal cancer. The risk varies depending on how long you have had UC symptoms, how severe the inflammation from UC is, and how much of the colon is affected.
Getting colonoscopies every one to two years, starting eight to 10 years after your initial UC diagnosis, is critical to catching cancer at its earliest and most treatable stage. If you have UC, adopting a health-promoting lifestyle that includes a low-fat diet, regular exercise, and keeping up with your medication can help reduce your risk.
A Word From Verywell
If you or a loved one is struggling with ulcerative colitis, it’s natural to be alarmed and frustrated to have to worry about yet another complication of your condition. But remember that while colonoscopies are never pleasant, regular screenings put control back in your hands and let you stay on top of your health.
Having awareness of your increased colorectal cancer risk also empowers you to consult your healthcare provider if you develop any worrisome symptoms, such as blood in the stool or abdominal cramps, or if you have any other concerns about your condition.
Most people with UC will never develop cancer. Taking measures to both manage your UC symptoms and reduce your risk of colorectal cancer, such as eating a healthy diet, exercising, reducing red and processed meat intake, and quitting smoking, are all great steps to cultivating great peace of mind and forging ahead in good health.
Frequently Asked QuestionsA colonoscopy is a medical procedure used to look for changes or problems in the large intestine. During the procedure, a surgeon inserts a long, thin tube with a camera and light on it (a colonoscope) into the colon to view the large intestine. The surgeon may also remove polyps and samples of tissue for testing during the procedure.Recommendations for how often you should have a colonoscopy vary, depending on your risk factors. Generally, people with UC should have a colonoscopy every one to two years, starting eight to 10 years after the initial onset of UC symptoms.
A colonoscopy is a medical procedure used to look for changes or problems in the large intestine. During the procedure, a surgeon inserts a long, thin tube with a camera and light on it (a colonoscope) into the colon to view the large intestine. The surgeon may also remove polyps and samples of tissue for testing during the procedure.
Recommendations for how often you should have a colonoscopy vary, depending on your risk factors. Generally, people with UC should have a colonoscopy every one to two years, starting eight to 10 years after the initial onset of UC symptoms.
9 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Crohn’s and Colitis Foundation.Overview of ulcerative colitis.Crohn’s and Colitis Foundation.Signs and symptoms of ulcerative colitis.Crohn’s and Colitis UK.Bowel cancer risk.Yashiro M.Ulcerative colitis-associated colorectal cancer.World J Gastroenterol. 2014;20(44):16389-16397. doi:10.3748/wjg.v20.i44.16389American Cancer Society.Survival Rates for colorectal cancer.Crohn’s and Colitis Foundation.The risk of colorectal cancer in Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis patientsJohns Hopkins.Colonoscopy.Wilkins T, McMechan D, Talukder A.Colorectal cancer screening and prevention.Am Fam Physician. 2018;97(10):658-665.Lopez A, Pouillon L, Beaugerie L, Danese S, Peyrin-Biroulet L.Colorectal cancer prevention in patients with ulcerative colitis.Best Pract Res Clin Gastroenterol. 2018;32-33:103-109. doi:10.1016/j.bpg.2018.05.010
9 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Crohn’s and Colitis Foundation.Overview of ulcerative colitis.Crohn’s and Colitis Foundation.Signs and symptoms of ulcerative colitis.Crohn’s and Colitis UK.Bowel cancer risk.Yashiro M.Ulcerative colitis-associated colorectal cancer.World J Gastroenterol. 2014;20(44):16389-16397. doi:10.3748/wjg.v20.i44.16389American Cancer Society.Survival Rates for colorectal cancer.Crohn’s and Colitis Foundation.The risk of colorectal cancer in Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis patientsJohns Hopkins.Colonoscopy.Wilkins T, McMechan D, Talukder A.Colorectal cancer screening and prevention.Am Fam Physician. 2018;97(10):658-665.Lopez A, Pouillon L, Beaugerie L, Danese S, Peyrin-Biroulet L.Colorectal cancer prevention in patients with ulcerative colitis.Best Pract Res Clin Gastroenterol. 2018;32-33:103-109. doi:10.1016/j.bpg.2018.05.010
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Crohn’s and Colitis Foundation.Overview of ulcerative colitis.Crohn’s and Colitis Foundation.Signs and symptoms of ulcerative colitis.Crohn’s and Colitis UK.Bowel cancer risk.Yashiro M.Ulcerative colitis-associated colorectal cancer.World J Gastroenterol. 2014;20(44):16389-16397. doi:10.3748/wjg.v20.i44.16389American Cancer Society.Survival Rates for colorectal cancer.Crohn’s and Colitis Foundation.The risk of colorectal cancer in Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis patientsJohns Hopkins.Colonoscopy.Wilkins T, McMechan D, Talukder A.Colorectal cancer screening and prevention.Am Fam Physician. 2018;97(10):658-665.Lopez A, Pouillon L, Beaugerie L, Danese S, Peyrin-Biroulet L.Colorectal cancer prevention in patients with ulcerative colitis.Best Pract Res Clin Gastroenterol. 2018;32-33:103-109. doi:10.1016/j.bpg.2018.05.010
Crohn’s and Colitis Foundation.Overview of ulcerative colitis.
Crohn’s and Colitis Foundation.Signs and symptoms of ulcerative colitis.
Crohn’s and Colitis UK.Bowel cancer risk.
Yashiro M.Ulcerative colitis-associated colorectal cancer.World J Gastroenterol. 2014;20(44):16389-16397. doi:10.3748/wjg.v20.i44.16389
American Cancer Society.Survival Rates for colorectal cancer.
Crohn’s and Colitis Foundation.The risk of colorectal cancer in Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis patients
Johns Hopkins.Colonoscopy.
Wilkins T, McMechan D, Talukder A.Colorectal cancer screening and prevention.Am Fam Physician. 2018;97(10):658-665.
Lopez A, Pouillon L, Beaugerie L, Danese S, Peyrin-Biroulet L.Colorectal cancer prevention in patients with ulcerative colitis.Best Pract Res Clin Gastroenterol. 2018;32-33:103-109. doi:10.1016/j.bpg.2018.05.010
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