Ulcerative Colitis

Thus, a gentleman from Yorkshire describes how, soon after quitting 20 years ago, he developed the abdominal pain and bloody diarrhoea of colitis.

The stress of it all sent him back to smoking "and two days after my first pack it disappeared completely''.

He carried on smoking for another 17 years before packing it in again - when his symptoms promptly returned.

Now, thanks to his family doctor's collusion and a regular supply of nicotine patches, he remains well.james.lefanu@telegraph.co.uk Previous story: Trust me, I'm a junior doctor: 'nutters' aren't all axe-wielding maniacs - they are far more scar Next story: Doctor's diary: keeping thing in perspective © Copyright of Telegraph Group Limited 2006.

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Obesity and inactivity - Being overweight, especially around the waist, and a sedentary lifestyle.

Smoking - Smokers are 30 to 40 percent more likely than nonsmokers to die from CRC.Screening testsScreening for polyps and cancer before they can cause symptoms is by far the best way to prevent or treat CRC.

Everyone age 50 and older should be screened, or younger if you have high risk for the disease.

Talk to your doctor about which test is right for you.The recommended screening options include:?

Stool screening - Known as fecal occult blood tests, these are simple home screening tests that check for hidden blood in your stool.Inexpensive ($10 to $30) and much improved, FOBTs should be used annually.

Another successful home testing kit is the new fecal immunochemical test.

Ask your doctor about these different options.

Double-contrast barium enema - This procedure involves several x-rays of the entire colon and rectum but first requires a rather unpleasant enema with barium solution and air which is pumped into the rectum.

This is solely a diagnostic procedure, done without sedation and costs $200 to $400.

Sigmoidoscopy - A flexible tube with a light and camera on the end is inserted into the rectum and lower third of the colon.

If identified, polyps can be removed at the same time and biopsied.

This procedure is usually done without sedation and lasts a...