Living with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) can be extremely debilitating, as it can affect nearly every aspect of a person’s life. The condition affects nearly 1.5 million Americans, with several more being affected around the globe. The most common forms of IBD include Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis, both of which present as major risk factors for colon cancer.
“Colorectal cancer can develop from precursor lesions that can be caused by inflammatory bowel disease over periods of 10 to 15 years, which provides an extended time for preventive measures,” Dr. Susanne Talcott, Texas A&M AgriLife research scientist.
