PSC-IBD Bowel Cancer Risk Study Shows Promising Findings
Research Update: PSC-IBD Bowel Cancer Risk Study Shows Promising Findings
Dr Chandni Radia
A new research update from a PSC Support-funded study is providing valuable insight into the risk of bowel cancer for people with PSC who also have inflammatory bowel disease (PSC-IBD). Dr Chandni Radia is conducting the study and has already presented early results at some prestigious medical research conferences.
The study is essential because PSC-IBD is a rare condition, which makes research into tailored surveillance guidelines difficult. Data has been gathered from over 600 people with PSC-IBD across seven hospitals in the UK providing Dr Radia with more than 3,500 colonoscopy records to review.
Initial findings suggest the long-term risk of bowel cancer for people with PSC may be lower than figures reported in previous historical studies. This new data will now be compared against a national database to ensure accuracy.
The analysis has also identified potential risk factors. Individuals who had poorly controlled inflammation in the colon over consecutive years, more frequent changes to advanced medications, and a history of pre-cancerous changes appeared to have a higher risk. These findings are similar to those seen in IBD-only patients.
Furthermore, the research indicates that using virtual electronic chromoendoscopy may be as effective as the traditional dye-spray technique for detecting pre-cancerous changes.
These results will help inform future national guidelines, aiming to improve the quality of care and potentially better tailor colonoscopy frequency for individuals with PSC-IBD.
Turning Ambition into Action in 2026:
Our Fortnight in Focus
At PSC Support, we want a world without PSC. We work tirelessly behind the scenes to drive research and improve lives. Here is a snapshot of what we've been up to:
Improving Care: We attended a major national clinical conference to equip general gastroenterologists and nurses with specialist knowledge, which helps ensure future work is better aligned with what people with PSC need by improving local care and pathways.
Progressing Research: Our 2024 investment into early-stage research to build necessary scientific evidence enabled Dr James Sun to secure major national funding to explore the genetic drivers of the disease. This foundational knowledge is essential for identifying potential new treatments.
Progressing Research: We supported the development of a research manuscript on nutrition in PSC, so that the findings can be effectively shared with the wider medical community. This will help us advocate for the needs of people with PSC to ensure they get the care they need at the right time.
Improving Care: We hosted a clinical consensus meeting to map out an ideal PSC care pathway, which helps ensure future PSC management is better aligned with what people with PSC need. Establishing standard protocols across the NHS is essential for eliminating regional variations in care.
Progressing Research: We contributed to the strategic planning of an international rare liver disease network, which supports progress towards better care for people with PSC. Broadening our influence ensures patient needs are integrated into wider clinical strategies.
Improving Care: We shared firsthand experiences of living with PSC at an international medical school event, which improves clinical understanding of the disease for healthcare professionals. This is important because ensuring future specialists understand the human impact of PSC helps drive patient-centered care and clinical excellence.
Progressing Research: After just over 48 hours on our Big Give Small Charity Week match funding initiative, your donations helped us get to 78% of the way to our £20,000 goal! Thank you! Can we reach 100%?