A team of researchers at the Institute of Cancer Research (ICR) in London have found the new testing method is over 90% accurate at predicting which higher-risk people will develop the disease.
In the UK it’s estimated that around 500,000 people live with Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD), of which the most common types are Crohn’s and ulcerative colitis. These chronic conditions, due to irritating the bowl lining, can cause abnormal, cancerous cells to form.
Image: Cancerous cells
In instances where these cells form, around three in ten people will develop bowl cancer within 10 years. Prior to this study, which was published today in the journal Gut, there was no good way of telling who those three in ten could be.
Against this backdrop, the research from London experts found DNA changes in those pre-cancerous cells, when analysed by an algorithm, were more than 90% accurate in predicting who would develop bowl cancer within the next five years.
To conduct the research, experts used tissue samples from IBD patients, though it is hoped their technology can be used to create a blood test to identify IBD patients most at risk.
‘Most people with ulcerative colitis or Crohn’s disease won’t develop bowel cancer,’ explained ICR Professor Trevor Graham, the senior author of the research. ‘But for those that have these conditions and are showing signs of pre-cancer in their colon, there are some tough decisions to make.
‘Either they have it monitored regularly, in the hope that it doesn’t become cancer, or they have their bowel removed to guarantee they don’t get cancer in the future. Neither of these options are particularly pleasant.’
Professor Graham added: ‘Our test and algorithm give people with IBD, and the doctors who care for them, the best possible information so that they can make the right decision about how to manage their cancer risk.
’We can accurately identify those people at high risk whilst putting the minds of many others at rest.’
Echoing a similar tone, Craig Foster from Waterlooville, Hants, who lost his wife Fariba to bowl cancer in February 2024, explains why this research could be life changing.
‘Research like this will save lives,’ he said. ‘It gives me comfort to know that there are scientists working right now so that no-one has to experience the same situation Fariba was in.’
Image: craig and his wife Fariba
Fabria was diagnosed with ulcerative colitis at the age of 18 and for the majority of her time with the condition she didn’t suffer too much. Craig explained: ‘Fariba had managed her condition well for around 17 years with minimal hospital visits, but for the last 18 months, she’d been having a few issues. Eventually, it was decided doctors would remove the bowel completely to improve her quality of life and she had surgery last summer.
‘She went for what she thought was a routine follow-up appointment after her operation, but she was told the devastating news that she had stage 3 bowel cancer. They explained they that when they removed the remaining part of her bowel, they had discovered the disease and tests confirmed their worst fears.
‘Fariba died just six months after she was diagnosed. Even though it was a short time, it was the worst time.’
The research from ICR can be accessed in full here.
In related news:
Opinion: Without fresh thinking the NHS will remain splintered