The purpose of screening is early diagnosis and treatment. Screening tests are administered to people without current symptoms, but who may be at high risk for certain diseases or conditions.

Screening Guidelines

There are no current guidelines for screening for inflammatory bowel disease.

People with ulcerative colitis are at a higher risk of colon cancer. Risk increases with the length of time of disease. If you have ulcerative colitis, your doctor will schedule regular colonoscopies to check for precancerous lesions and changes in the colon.

REFERENCES:

Crohn disease. Merck Manual Professional Version website. Available at: https://www.merckmanuals.com/professional/gastrointestinal-disorders/inflammatory-bowel-disease-ibd/crohn-disease. Updated September 2017. Accessed December 21, 2018.

Crohn disease in adults. EBSCO DynaMed website. Available at:https://www.dynamed.com/condition/crohn-disease-in-adults. Updated May 16, 2018. Accessed December 21, 2018.

Ulcerative colitis. Merck Manual Professional Version website. Available at: https://www.merckmanuals.com/professional/gastrointestinal-disorders/inflammatory-bowel-disease-ibd/ulcerative-colitis. Updated September 2017. Accessed December 21, 2018.

Ulcerative colitis in adults. EBSCO DynaMed website. Available at:https://www.dynamed.com/condition/ulcerative-colitis-in-adults. Updated October 26, 2018. Accessed December 21, 2018.

Last reviewed September 2018 by EBSCO Medical Review BoardDaus Mahnke, MD  Last Updated: 11/24/2020