Having close relatives with other cancers like uterine or stomach cancer may also increase your risk. Over time, these polyps become cancerous. Unless the condition is diagnosed and treated, a person who has familial polyposis will develop colorectal cancer. The risk of colon cancer is higher than average for people who have this disease. The longer a person has ulcerative colitis and the more extensive it is, the higher the risk of developing colorectal cancer.
Treatment is most effective before the disease spreads.
In Canada, guidelines are being developed for mass colorectal screening programs. These symptoms can also be caused by other problems - such as ulcers, an inflamed colon, or hemorrhoids. Only your doctor can learn the cause. If you have any of these symptoms, see your doctor. Individuals with a strong family history of colorectal cancer may need to be checked regularly for signs of early disease even if there are no symptoms.