It’s really important to say before we go any further, that the actual increase in the risk of developing bowel cancer if you have Crohn’s or Colitis is low. And over the last 20 years, the number of people with Crohn’s or Colitis who develop bowel cancer has fallen. This could be due to screening by colonoscopy and better medicines.
Still, this is in the headlines, because a new study, funded by Cancer Research UK, has shown more than 90% accuracy in predicting bowel cancer risk in the next five years in a high-risk group of people with IBD. It could lead to a blood test which will inform doctors which IBD patients are most at risk of bowel cancer.
People tell us that one of the hardest things about living with Crohn's or Colitis is the uncertainty - in everyday life and in the long term. This is really positive news, because just as with inflammatory bowel disease, we know the earlier you find out about cancer, the better. Anything that enables early detection with quicker, less invasive diagnostic tests, removing some of that uncertainty, is hugely exciting.
It’s important to just reiterate that most people with Crohn’s and Colitis will not go on to develop bowel cancer, but if you are at all worried, you’ll find lots of information on our website.
As well as all the resources we have available, Crohn’s & Colitis UK is funding two years’ worth of research at the University of Leeds, which is using Artificial Intelligence (AI) to identify bowel cancer in IBD patients.
A new colonoscopy technique using blue dye helps doctors see cancerous changes.
This research will create an AI programme that identifies pre-cancerous and cancerous changes. This technology will then be used during colonoscopies. The study will also use AI to find people who are at a higher risk of developing cancer.
The work is being led by Dr Venkat Subramanian who has a special interest in IBD and cancer. He and his team hope to improve the diagnosis of bowel cancer in people with Crohn’s or Colitis. This research could also inform how often someone should have a colonoscopy. For people at lower risk of developing cancer this could mean fewer colonoscopies. And for people at higher risk this could mean improved monitoring.
The work has been funded through generous gifts to Crohn’s & Colitis UK, from donors including Bothwell Charitable Trust, Robert Luff Foundation, The Charles & Elsie Sykes Trust, and The Amy Sobel Foundation.
