Gastrointestinal Cancer Prevention Program

Gastrointestinal (GI) cancer prevention at the Center for Digestive Health is a multidisciplinary team that strives toward caring for patients and family members with hereditary cancer syndromes or at an increased risk for developing GI cancers.

About one in 20 colorectal cancers are hereditary. Predisposed individuals carry a mutation in their DNA that increases their risk for developing colorectal cancer. Since an individual’s DNA is present in every cell of the body, there also may be an increased risk of cancer outside of the colorectum based on the type of mutation that they have. Furthermore, the mutated genes can be passed onto offspring—oftentimes multiple members of a family have the same mutation and share a similar risk for developing cancer.

Managing individuals and families with hereditary cancer syndromes involves education, surveillance of at-risk gastrointestinal organs as well as organs outside of the gastrointestinal tract, lifestyle and medical management, and surgery when appropriate. In addition, it is our goal to identify at-risk family members so that they can decrease their cancer risk. It is also our goal to engage in research to expand our understanding of hereditary cancer syndromes as well as offer trials when available. 

To schedule an appointment, please call 206-223-2319.