Scientists have developed a groundbreaking test that can predict with 90% accuracy which patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) will develop colorectal cancer. The test, created by researchers at Queen Mary University of London, could transform how doctors monitor and treat individuals with Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis—two chronic conditions that inflame the digestive tract and increase cancer risk.
Currently, IBD patients undergo regular colonoscopies to check for abnormal cell growth. While these screenings help detect pre-cancerous changes, they cannot always determine which patients will actually develop cancer. This uncertainty often leads to unnecessary surgeries for some, while others may not receive timely treatment. The new test aims to solve this problem by analyzing genetic changes in cells to identify high-risk patients.
How the Test Works
The research team studied pre-cancerous tissue samples from 122 IBD patients with dysplasia, a condition where abnormal cells form in the colon. By examining DNA irregularities, they discovered that patients with more genetic mutations had a significantly higher risk of cancer. Using a specially designed algorithm, the scientists were able to predict cancer development with remarkable precision.
Dr. Trevor Graham, one of the study’s lead researchers, explained that the test evaluates the level of DNA damage in cells. “The more genetic changes we see, the greater the risk of cancer,” he said. “This allows us to intervene early for those in real danger while avoiding unnecessary treatments for others.”
A Step Toward Personalized Medicine
The findings represent a major advancement in precision medicine, where treatments are tailored to an individual’s unique risk factors. Dr. Supriya Rao, a gastroenterologist not involved in the study, praised the test’s potential to reduce both over-treatment and under-treatment. “This could spare low-risk patients from invasive surgeries while ensuring high-risk patients get the care they need,” she said.
What’s Next
Before the test becomes widely available, further clinical trials are needed to confirm its effectiveness. If successful, it could be introduced in the UK’s National Health Service (NHS) within a few years, with possible adoption in other countries later.
For millions living with IBD, this innovation offers new hope—helping doctors catch cancer risks earlier while improving quality of life for patients. As research progresses, this test could become a vital tool in the fight against bowel cancer.
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