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Ulcerative colitis (UC) causes inflammation in the digestive system. This may increase the risk of certain cancers. There appears to be a link between ulcerative colitis (UC) and certain types of cancer. People with UC seem to be at greater risk of colorectal cancer, though there are some other factors to consider as well.
It is important to take steps to reduce the risk of UC or flare-ups whenever possible. There may also be steps to take to reduce the risk of cancer. There seems to be a link between UC and colorectal cancer. This type of cancer affects the large intestine or rectum.
As a study in the Journal of Cancer Research and Therapeutics suggests, a person with UC may be up to five times more likely to develop colorectal cancer than someone who does not have UC. Also, the same study found that colorectal cancer causes around 15% of deaths related to UC.
How long a person has had UC may also affect their risk of cancer. The risk grows depending on how long they have had UC and how severe it is. After 8–10 years of having UC, a person’s cancer risk increases by around 0.5% to 1% each year. Other cancer risk factors for people with UC include:
- receiving a UC diagnosis at a young age
- being male
- having diabetes
- having a family history of colorectal cancer
- having primary sclerosing cholangitis, or inflammation and scarring in the bile duct
- having dysplasia, or precancerous cell damage
- having had appendix resections
Knowing the signs to look out for can help. However, many signs and symptoms of colorectal cancer also happen to be signs of inflammatory bowel diseases.
For instance, blood in the stool is a sign of colorectal cancer as well as a symptom of UC. It is easy to confuse the potential signs of cancer with those of a normal UC flare-up. For this reason, it is important to regularly check in with a doctor to discuss and monitor the progression of the condition.
Anyone with UC who experiences the following changes or symptoms should speak with a doctor:
- diarrhea or constipation
- constant fatigue
- frequent stomach symptoms, such as bloating, gas, or cramps
- vomiting
- a drastic change in stool shape, such as very narrow stool
- changes in the frequency of bowel movements
- unexplained weight loss
- feeling that the bowel is full after a bowel movement or feeling that the bowel is never fully empty
- a regular and urgent need to use the bathroom
- very dark or very bright blood in the stool
Ways to reduce the risk of UC include: eating healthful food, staying hydrated, limiting soft drink intake, managing stress levels and exercising regularly.