CROHN'S AND COLITIS SUFFERERS NEED EARLY CANCER SCREENINGS

An educational campaign about the increased risk of colorectal cancer among patients with Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis, collectively know as inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), encourages people to be more vigilant about being screened for colorectal cancer, the second-leading cause of cancer-related deaths among men and women.

"Because the risk for developing colorectal cancer increases beginning about eight to ten years after the onset of IBD, even if the disease is in remission, it is imperative people seek screenings more frequently, approximately every one to two years," said David Rubin, assistant professor of medicine for the Section of Gastroenterology at the University of Chicago. "Regular examinations allow for early detection and vital treatment for colorectal cancer -- a curable disease if caught early."

The Crohn's and Colitis Foundation of America's website, http://www.ccfa.org (http://www.ccfa.org), features a downloadable brochure as well as a schedule of educational seminars taking place around the country.