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Cancer from on-going UC?

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Ulcerative Colitis
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Posted 1/31/2010 7:57 PM (GMT 0)
Hi everyone,

I am a 17 year old girl and i was diagnosed with UC when i was 6 years old.  I have not been on much medication other than prednisone (my miracle drug, unfortunately it has the worst side effects), imuran, and pentasa.  In the past 3 years or so, I have had 3 flare-ups which all landed me in the hospital.  The last time i was in the hospital, the surgeon had that i should probably consider having surgery for my colitis since I have had it for a pretty long time.  The fact is, i am very scared of having surgery, to me it is the last and final resort, and Im not sure if i really want to do it.  My question is, can having UC for a long time eventually turn into cancer?  I know the question seems kind of silly, but I was reading on a website that your chances of getting cancer with UC is very very high.  Right now, I cant say that my colitis is under control, Im not taking anything for it really except for probiotics, iron (for loss of blood), and a herbal supplement.  Im really just looking for some guidance, Im not sure what i should do... Anything will help. :)

Thanksss!

p.s. can it also affect your ability to have kids if you have UC for a very long time?

Posted 1/31/2010 8:43 PM (GMT 0)
     My heart really goes out to you young people suffering so with this awful disease.  All I can tell you dear is that after having UC for over ten years you have a slightly greater chance of developing colon cancer.  However, my GI doctor said that not to worry because with yearly colonoscopies they can stay on top of things.  I am 63 yrs old and was diagnosed at 52.  Let me put your mind at ease by telling you that I know quite a few people who have colon cancer and not one of them had UC.

     As for surgery....I would try to hold on to my colon as long as possible.  Did your doctor discuss Remicade with you?

     You would have to speak with a gyn doctor about fertility and UC.

     God bless and good luck.  Hope you find relief real soon.

Posted 1/31/2010 9:41 PM (GMT 0)
Welcome to HealingWell, Cabbagepatch. There is an association between long-term UC and colon cancer, however your chances of developing cancer depend on how much of your colon is involved. If you have pancolitis (the whole colon is affected) you have a much higher chance of developing colon cancer than people in general. On the other hand, if you have proctitis (only the rectum affected), your chances aren't really significantly increased. And as Christine said, our chances of dying from colon cancer may actually be lower because with frequent checks, it can be caught early and cured. Most GI doctors like to do yearly colonoscopies after you've had UC for ten years.

As for fertility, it isn't significantly affected by UC, and the majority of the medications we take are relatively safe during pregnancy. Having surgery does affect the ability to conceive in some (but by no means all) women.

If you're interested in learning more about the surgery, go to this site:

www.jpouch.org
Posted 1/31/2010 10:20 PM (GMT 0)
I have been diagnosed with UC. I googled 'vitamin d cancer' and found a wealth of information over the past 5 years indicating that vitamin d may cut the risk of cancer. Got my blood levels of D measured and brought it up to optimum levels. I am not sure if this will help me, but I am saying that it definitely cannot hurt. I measure D regularly to make sure I maintain optimum level and also that I am not overdosing. Too much is not good either. As an added bonus D3 may also help with IBD in general, at least according to the info I found about D in the Crohn's forum.

Post Edited (BabeintheWoods) : 1/31/2010 3:47:19 PM (GMT-7)

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