After 8-10 years of having inflammatory bowel disease, one may be an increased risk of colorectal cancer (CRC) especially if there have been prolonged courses of severe inflammation in the colon and rectum and/or a family history of CRC.
It is recommended that IBD patients undergo a colonoscopy with biopsies to detect any indication of CRC as early as possible.
Adhering to medication protocols and keeping inflammation at bay is important to help prevent CRC.
Treatment for CRC may involve taking the surgical route and creating a temporary or permanent ostomy depending on the location and severity of the cancer. Please see the section Choosing the Right Treatment Options for more information.
Ultimately, following these practices allows the patient and their family to make the best decisions around medical and surgical care based on their doctors’ recommendations and personal preference/lifestyle.
Written by Tina Aswani Omprakash. Medically reviewed and validated by Jordan Axelrad, MD, MPH. These webpages are funded by a grant from The Leona M. and Harry B. Helmsley Charitable Trust.
Contact Us
United Ostomy Associations of America
P.O. Box 2293
Biddeford, ME 04005-2293
Call us toll-free at: 1-800-826-0826.
Our Information Line hours are Monday-Friday, 9am to 3pm EST. If you have an emergency, please dial 911 or contact your local medical professional.
Please understand that UOAA is a private, nonprofit, advocacy and informational organization. We are not a medical facility and we do not have medical or legal professionals on staff. Therefore, UOAA does not provide Medical, Mental Health, Insurance or Legal Advice. Visit UOAA Virtual Ostomy Clinic provided by The Wound Company for non-emergency, virtual ostomy support.
