(IBD) and Bowel Cancer Risk - Bowel Cancer UK

give you
the facts
What is my degree of risk
The degree of risk is related to the degree of
inflammation in the bowel, which can be seen
during the colonoscopy. The more inflamed the
bowel, the higher the risk.
Whether or not you are advised to have further
checks will depend on how much inflammation can
be seen. The following is a general guide:
• If you have no active inflammation (where the
lining of the bowel is irritated) you are considered
to be at lower risk. You should be offered a
further colonoscopy after five years.
• If you have mild active inflammation you are
considered to be at medium risk. You should be
offered a further colonoscopy after three years.
• If you have moderate to severe active
inflammation you are considered to be at higher
risk. You should be offered a further colonoscopy
after one year.
To find out more about whether you have a family
history of bowel cancer that may increase your risk,
see our Family History factsheet.
Can I do anything to reduce my risk of bowel
cancer
Doctors and researchers don’t yet know the exact
cause of bowel cancer. We do know that certain
factors, including IBD, may contribute to a higher
risk. If you have IBD you can help to reduce your risk
by.
• managing your lifestyle, such as eating a
healthy diet and taking regular exercise
• seeing your doctor for a regular check-up, even
when your IBD is in remission
• having regular colonoscopies, according to your
risk (see previous section)
• Other factors may determine when you are
offered further colonoscopies including: postinflammatory
polyps (a polyp is an overgrowth
of cells that protrudes into the bowel; a postinflammatory
polyp sometimes occurs as the
bowel heals after a bout of inflammation), your
family history of bowel cancer, your age and your
general health.
Further sources of information
We have a range of related factsheets and booklets that you can download from our website here:
www.bowelcanceruk.org.uk/resources
You can also get support and information on living with IBD from Crohn’s and Colitis UK – visit
www.nacc.org.uk
To find out more about this product, or to tell us what you think, please call us on 020 7381 9711 or
email feedback@bowelcanceruk.org.uk
© Bowel Cancer UK
IBD and Bowel Cancer Risk factsheet
Information correct at time of publication: November 2012
Date for review: November 2014
For further information contact the Bowel
Cancer Information and Support Service:
Freephone 0800 8 40 35 40
Email: support@bowelcanceruk.org.uk
Website: www.bowelcanceruk.org.uk
London office
7 Rickett Street
London SW6 1RU
Tel: 020 7381 9711
Fax: 020 7381 5752
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Edinburgh EH2 1JX
Tel: 0131 225 5333
Fax: 0131 225 2206
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