Doctors Emphasize Ulcerative Colitis Screening for Higher Cancer Risk

Regular colonoscopies and inflammation control are key for patients with ulcerative colitis to prevent colon cancer.

Mar. 30, 2026 at 10:02pm

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Patients with ulcerative colitis have about an 8% risk of developing colon cancer after 30 years, compared to a 4% lifetime risk for the general population. Doctors emphasize the importance of regular colonoscopies and controlling inflammation through medication to catch precancerous changes early and allow patients to maintain their quality of life.

Why it matters

Ulcerative colitis is a chronic inflammatory bowel disease that can significantly increase a patient's risk of developing colon cancer if left unmanaged. By raising awareness of this higher cancer risk and the need for proactive screening, doctors hope to empower patients to take an active role in their health and catch any precancerous changes before they progress.

The details

Jennifer Medina was diagnosed with ulcerative colitis in 2006 after noticing blood in her stool, but her condition later progressed to Crohn's disease with symptoms like weight loss, painful eating, and bloody diarrhea. However, through regular colonoscopies and treatment to control inflammation, doctors were able to identify and remove precancerous changes, allowing Medina to maintain her colon and quality of life. Dr. Raymond Cross, a gastroenterologist, explains that the increased cancer risk is due to the genetic changes that occur when inflammation is not well controlled in the colon.

  • Jennifer Medina was originally diagnosed with ulcerative colitis in 2006.
  • A few years later, Medina's condition progressed to Crohn's disease with more severe symptoms.

The players

Jennifer Medina

A 46-year-old patient who was originally diagnosed with ulcerative colitis in 2006 and later progressed to Crohn's disease, but has been able to manage her condition through regular screening and treatment.

Dr. Raymond Cross

A gastroenterologist at Mercy Medical Center in Baltimore who explains the increased cancer risk for patients with ulcerative colitis and the importance of controlling inflammation through medication and regular colonoscopies.

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What they’re saying

“She's one of those patients that had invisible dysplasia, pre-cancer in biopsies. And, as we've controlled inflammation and our scopes have improved, we've been able to see visible pre-cancer in that segment.”

— Dr. Raymond Cross, Gastroenterologist

“We have a number of effective medicines now that can control inflammation. But when inflammation is not well controlled, there's a number of genetic changes that occur in the colon similar to spontaneous colon cancer; there are different genetic changes that increase a patient's risk of colon cancer.”

— Dr. Raymond Cross, Gastroenterologist

“That has allowed my disease to remain in remission; it's allowed me to go on and do two long-distance triathlons, many marathons, really live life to the fullest.”

— Jennifer Medina

What’s next

Medina currently goes for yearly colonoscopies and hopes to be able to change to getting a colonoscopy once every other year if her next one goes well.

The takeaway

This story highlights the importance of regular screening and proactive management of ulcerative colitis to prevent the development of colon cancer. By working closely with their doctors to control inflammation and catch any precancerous changes early, patients like Jennifer Medina can maintain their quality of life and avoid the more serious consequences of this chronic condition.