Ulcerative colitis breakthrough: THIS test for bowel disease could revolutionise diagnosis – Express.co.uk

In ulcerative colitis, tiny ulcers develop on the surface of the lining of the large bowel.

Experts believe a fast, simple test for ulcerative colitis could provide a cheaper less invasive alternative for screening.

A colonoscopy is currently the main test for the condition.

Research by the Department of Physics and Astronomy and the Institute for Biomedical Sciences at Georgia State University found the testing procedure could more easily screen patients for ulcerative colitis.

A colonoscopy is a test which allows a doctors to look at the inner lining of the large intestine - which includes the rectum and colon, every five years or more frequently if abnormalities are found.

The test can help find ulcers, colon polyps, tumour and other areas of inflammation.

However, the procedure is uncomfortable and can also be expensive.

Experts said there was a need to be able to diagnose inflammatory bowel disease more effectively.

Dr A G Unil Perera, Regents' Professor of Physics, said: Colonoscopy is used as a screening technique, so even if you dont know if a person has colitis or not, thats the only way to check and say they do.

We are not talking about replacing colonoscopy.

We have shown that a minimally invasive blood test can tell if patient has an indication of colitis. Then doctors can perform a colonscopy to see how far the disease has spread and whether there are signs of cancer.

Experts tested the blood test on mice with signs of colitis to test the accuracy of the procedure.

Ulcerative colitis only affects the colon - large intestine - but Crohn's disease can affect any part of the digestive system, from the mouth to the anus.

Charity Crohns and Colitis UK said: Its estimated that UC affects about one in every 420 people in the UK - roughly 146,000 people.

The inflammation usually begins in the rectum and lower colon, but it may affect the entire colon.

If ulcerative colitis only affects the rectum, it is called proctitis, while if it affects the whole colon it may be called total colitis or pancolitis.

Seven things you didnt know about Crohns disease and ulcerative colitis

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Ulcerative colitis breakthrough: THIS test for bowel disease could revolutionise diagnosis - Express.co.uk