A new DNA test developed in the UK can accurately predict whether high-risk patients will develop colorectal cancer in the five years. People with inflammatory bowel disease — which includes conditions like ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s — are up to four times more likely to get this type of cancer,

The method could be used to develop a blood test to identify inflammatory-bowel-disease patients most at risk.

A second blood test shows promise for the detection of colon cancer, according to a new study. The first, called Shield, was approved by the Food and Drug Administration in July for people 45 and older who are at average risk for colorectal cancer.