Colonoscopy Key for People with IBD

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) refers to a group of conditions that cause pain and damage in the gastrointestinal tract. Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis are the two most common inflammatory bowel diseases. Symptoms of these conditions include abdominal pain, weight loss, fever, rectal bleeding, blood in the stools, diarrhea, and skin and eye irritation.

One of the most important things to know about IBD is that having it can significantly increase your risk of developing colon cancer. It's a scary thought, and it seems completely unfair that in addition to the pain and suffering that can come with IBD itself, comes a higher risk of a potentially life-threatening cancer.

Fortunately, there something you can do to greatly increase the odds that if you do develop colon cancer, you will survive and thrive after your diagnosis. The latest research on this topic shows that regular colonoscopy screening can mean the difference between life and death for people with a history of IBD who develop colon cancer.

By The Numbers

Researchers tracked 149 people with IBD who developed colorectal cancer. They compared the survival rates after colorectal cancer diagnosis among those who had colonoscopies in the past vs. people who had not had colonoscopies.

The 5 year survival rate after colorectal cancer among the people with IBD who had undergone colonoscopy screening was 100%. Among the people with IBD who had not undergone colonoscopy as part of their medical care, the 5 years after diagnosis was 74%. Over the long-term, only one person in the colonoscopy group died specifically due to colorectal cancer. In the group of people with IBD who did not undergo colonoscopy, 29 people died due to colorectal cancer over the long-term.

The Bottom Line

If you have IBD, it is very, very important that you undergo colonoscopy testing regularly. While colonoscopy can seem unpleasant and sometimes may cause some pain for people with IBD, it is much less unpleasant than being diagnosed with, or dying of, colon cancer. Colonoscopy allows your doctor to find any colon cancer cells or small tumors very early, when they can be removed before they spread. This improves survival and makes it less likely that you'll need additional, aggressive treatment for cancer.

Facing Your Fears

If you have IBD, the following steps can help you face your fears about colonoscopy:

• Make an appointment to talk to your doctor specifically about how often you need colonoscopy screening. If your regular, primary care doctor doesn't have a specific plan for you or doesn't take your concerns seriously, ask for a referral to a gastroenterologist so you can make sure you get exactly what you need.
• Learn what you need to do to prepare for a colonoscopy. A little planning will help you have a sense of control over your health and your health care choices.
• Learn what happens during a colonscopy. Knowing what to expect can ease your fears significantly.
• Learn specific steps you can take to make colonoscopy easier on yourself. While nobody looks forward to getting a colonoscopy, it likely is not as bad as you may imagine
• Focus on the future. Focusing on the fact that getting a colonscopy can save your life and keep you healthy and cancer-free can make it easier to pick up the phone and make that important appointment with your doctor.