New bowel cancer prediction test is more than 90% accurate

A new DNA test developed in the UK can accurately predict whether high-risk patients will develop bowel cancer in the five years.

People with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) — which includes conditions like ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s — are up to four times more likely to get this type of cancer, also referred to as colorectal cancer.

As a preventative measure, IBD sufferers typically get more screenings in the form of colonoscopies — but this new test is more than 90% accurate at forecasting bowel cancer risk before it even starts.

The test is for people with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), which includes conditions like ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s. eddows – stock.adobe.com

While colonoscopies can detect precancerous cells in the bowels, new research by the Institute of Cancer Research (ICR) in the UK was able to better predict which of these precancerous cells would turn into cancer.

They developed an algorithm that was over 90% accurate at determining if a patient would have colorectal cancer in the next five years.

The tests were conducted with tissue samples, but they hope to be able to use their findings to create a blood test that accomplishes the same thing and can be used as a diagnostic tool in hospitals.

“Most people with ulcerative colitis or Crohn’s disease won’t develop bowel cancer,” Professor Trevor Graham of the ICR said in a press release.

“But for those that have these conditions and are showing signs of precancer 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.

“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.”

Dr. Iain Foulkes, our executive director of research and innovation at the ICR, hopes the test will save people time and money on unnecessary testing while also getting care to those who need it faster.

“Treatment for bowel cancer is far more likely to be effective if you catch the disease earlier,” he said.

“Having Crohn’s or colitis is a known risk for bowel cancer, but the risk varies widely between different people, and until now we have had to take a one-size-fits-all approach to preventing it.

“With this research, we can focus resources on treating people with IBD who are at really high risk, saving health services valuable time and money. We can also give those at lower risk peace of mind and remove the fear of bowel cancer in the future.”