While the symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) can be severe and very distressing, IBS does not lead to colorectal cancer. People who have IBS have the same risk of developing polyps in the colon as other people of average risk for developing colorectal cancer.
Sources:- Jenifer K Lehrer, MD, Gary R Lichtenstein, MD. Irritable Bowel Syndrome. Available at: http://www.emedicine.com/med/topic1190.htm. Accessed: February 26, 2006.
- American Society of Colon and Rectal Surgeons. Irritable Bowel Syndrome. Available at: http://www.fascrs.org/patients/conditions/irritable_bowel_syndrome/. Accessed February 26, 2006.
