Inflammatory Bowel Disease and Colorectal Cancer

Why Inflammatory Bowel Disease Increases Risk

Inflammatory bowel disease, often characterized by conditions such as ulcerative colitis and Chron's disease, increases the risk of developing colorectal cancer. (However, ulcerative colitis increases risk more than Chron's disease.)

In general, the longer a person has had inflammatory bowel disease, the greater his or her chance of developing colorectal cancer. This is because inflamed areas of the colon can give rise to abnormally-developed cells, which in time, can give rise to cancer cells.

The American Cancer Society recommends that anyone with IBD receive a colonoscopy 8 to 12 years after their initial diagnosis and another colonoscopy every year or two after that.

To learn about other causes of colorectal cancer, please read Fifteen Causes of Colon Cancer.

You can learn more about inflammatory bowel disease by visiting About's Irritable Bowel/Chron's Disease site.

Sources:

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3. Colorectal Cancer Prevention and Treatment. National Foundation for Cancer Research. 23 Jun. 2006 [http://www2.nfcr.org/site/PageServer?pagename=cancers_colorectal].
   
4. Detailed Guide: Colon and Rectum Cancer: What Are the Risk Factors for Colorectal Cancer? American Cancer Society. 7 Mar. 2006. 27 Aug. 2006 [http://www.cancer.org/docroot/CRI/content/CRI_2_4_2X_What_are_the_risk_factors_for_colon_and_rectum_cancer.asp].
   
5. Overview: Colon and Rectum Cancer: What Causes Colorectal Cancer? American Cancer Society. 15 Mar. 2006. 23 Jun. 2006 [http://www.cancer.org/docroot/CRI/content/CRI_2_2_2X_What_causes_colorectal_cancer.asp?sitearea=].