Asymptomatic Inflammatory Bowel Disease and Colorectal Cancer Screening Programs: How Common Is It and What Should be Done About It?

Abstract The growing international popularity of screening programs for the early detection of pre-cancerous changes or early cancer in the colon has brought to the fore the issue of people with asymptomatic inflammatory bowel disease. What are the legal and clinical responsibilities for endoscopists and managers of screening programs towards such patients? This review assesses the magnitude of the problem and discusses the legal responsibilities, including human rights issues. In addition, it discusses whether such patients who do not have symptoms should be given active treatment. View Full-Tex