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what is the overall risk of UC and colon cancer?

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Ulcerative Colitis
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Posted 8/20/2011 2:25 PM (GMT 0)
I've read such a crazy range of answers. 5-10% seems more common but some sites claim things like 2% a year. That almost makes it seem inevitable. I know it depends on the severity of the disease so just an overall estimate.
Posted 8/20/2011 3:23 PM (GMT 0)
Found this....it's a crap shoot really...you just never know:

"The results of different studies vary, but in general, the risk of colon cancer for people with IBD increases by .5% to 1% yearly approximately 8 to 10 years after diagnosis. Other studies have shown that people with IBD are five times more likely to develop colon cancer than the general public. Colon cancer doesn't distinguish between active disease and remission. Patients whose IBD has been quiet have the same risk as those who have more active disease"
Posted 8/20/2011 3:27 PM (GMT 0)
Even that is confusing...so the risk itself goes up 1%? Like if the general population has a 2.5% risk it goes up .025? Or the actually percentage just goes up by 1%? If that were the case someone who had UC for 40 years would have almost a 50% chance which seems crazy...
Posted 8/20/2011 3:48 PM (GMT 0)
Basically what it boils down to is people with IBD have a greater risk of colon cancer than those who dont. Doesn't mean you are doomed and will get it...you are just a greater risk. I think it's very important to go for regular colonoscopies just for piece of mind. If I still had my colon, I would be going every year. My cousin died of colon cancer and he suffered horribly. I don't know how they can figures these percentages acurately... it's just too hard to really pinpoint something like that.
Posted 8/20/2011 4:03 PM (GMT 0)
I'm sorry about your cousin...I guess what is more imprtant now is what I can do to decrease my risk like exercising, eating a good diet, managing stress, and getting checkups. Thanks.
Posted 8/20/2011 4:09 PM (GMT 0)
i talked this over with a colon surgery doctor and he said the risk is so much higher for colon cancer if you have u.c.

now i think if you manage your u.c. and get colonoscopies that you don't need to get colon surgery. he told me that i'd probably be getting the colon removal surgery within 10 years. he's very negative!!
Posted 8/20/2011 4:16 PM (GMT 0)
Yes it is key to manage your UC and get scoped regularly, but the risk is still there whether it's active or in remission.

bananagirl: I was told by one dr. in the beginning of my diagnosis of UC (a little over 6 years ago) that because mine was so bad that ultimately I would end up having my colon removed. I was like "yeah right, whatever". Well he was right! It's all good though!! :)
Posted 8/20/2011 4:30 PM (GMT 0)
byebyeuc, yeah when i was in the hospital recently, it was really scary for me to hear everything he was saying!! he wanted me to schedule the surgery right then and there! thankfully, the medical doctors came in and said they wanted to try pred, 6mp, and remicade before doing the surgery route. i'm not ready to get my colon removed since i'm only 21!! my g.i. thinks my youth will help me get back into remission along with the meds. i hope they help. i'm staying very optimistic about it but i am realistic, too. i don't wanna live my life on and off with pain if i can get a surgery to cure it.

the colon surgeon i saw said he would do a 3 step laparoscopic procedure- probably what you got. he said they'd remove the colon and i would have a bag until they could go back in and create a little pouch out of my small intestine. how has this worked out for you??
Posted 8/20/2011 4:47 PM (GMT 0)
bananagirl: I had mine done in two steps laparoscopically. First the removal of the colon and creation of the j pouch. Then 3 months later the ileostomy reversal. It just depends on the surgeon, some only do it in 3 steps. I was fortunate to have an awsome surgeon. It was a rough recovery, but it's really worth it for me now. I am very grateful and blessed to have had a great outcome from the surgery.

I hope you can get your UC in check and you can avoid surgery but if it ever comes to it, it has a very high success rate. You are young...you have time to beat it! Good luck!
Posted 8/20/2011 7:14 PM (GMT 0)
I read that 30 to 40 percent of us will eventually have our colons removed for whatever reason. Is that true?
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