Netherlands-based University Medical Center Utrecht researchers found patients suffering from inflammatory bowel disease only need a colonoscopy once every five years, Bel Marra Health reports.
The researchers analyzed information from 1,237 IBD patients. Providers performed 4,327 colonoscopies on the study's patients between Jan. 1, 2000 and Jan. 1, 2014.
Here are five points:
1. The researchers found colon cancer developed in 1.3 percent of patients whose interval between colonoscopies was 22 months.
2. The researchers detected only 17 cancers during follow-up evaluation.
3. Based on the study's findings, researchers concluded patients not deemed high risk can go nearly five years in between colonoscopy procedures.
4. Investigators concluded IBD patients undergoing regular colonoscopies have a lower interval colorectal cancer occurrence.
5. Currently, the British Society of Gastroenterology and the European Crohn’s and Colitis Organization recommend IBD patients undergo a colonoscopy once every five years.