At MedStar Health, our gastrointestinal (GI) cancer experts are skilled at diagnosing and treating all kinds of cancers in the digestive tract—and sometimes even preventing them altogether. Through our Gastrointestinal (GI) Cancer Prevention Program, patients with a high risk of colon cancer or other GI cancers will find personalized and comprehensive preventative care designed to minimize their risk of cancer or detect it in its earliest, most treatable stage.
Whether you have a strong family history of cancer or were diagnosed with Lynch syndrome, our GI cancer specialists will evaluate and monitor your cancer risk using the most advanced screening technologies. Most commonly, colon cancer screening is the most effective way to prevent colon cancer, and we help patients understand when and how frequently to get screened in our clinics. We also work alongside a team of specialists in oncology, colorectal surgery, and genetic counseling to ensure seamless coordination across our extensive network when you need additional care.
Who has a high risk for GI cancer?
Anyone can develop cancer in the GI tract, but some people have a higher risk based on their personal or family history of cancer or cancer-related syndromes.
Patients with a high risk of developing GI cancer include:
- Individuals with a family history of colon cancer, colon polyps, or pancreatic cancer, especially if they were diagnosed before 50
- People who carry certain hereditary genes
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Patients with a personal history of GI cancer or related hereditary conditions, such as Lynch syndrome
Do you have a high risk of colon cancer?
Genetics and GI cancers
Around ten percent of all GI cancers occur in individuals who are genetically predisposed. Many patients come to our clinic after being diagnosed with Lynch syndrome or because they are interested in genetic testing due to a family history of GI cancer. Knowing your genetic risk factors for GI cancer can empower you to begin screening when we can detect cancer in its earliest and most treatable stages.
Lynch syndrome
Also known as hereditary nonpolyposis colorectal cancer (HNPCC), Lynch syndrome is the most common inherited condition linked to an increased risk of colon cancer. Nearly one in every 300 people carry the gene alteration, which has a 50 percent chance of being passed from parents to children. If you are diagnosed with Lynch syndrome, our specialists can help you understand your specific gene mutation and its impact on you and your family.
Preventing colon cancer and other GI cancers
Not all GI cancers are preventable. However, colon cancer, the most common GI cancer, is highly treatable when found early. And, through routine colonoscopies, we can often detect and remove colon polyps before they have a chance to become cancerous. All individuals, regardless of risk, should discuss colon cancer screening with their doctor by the age of 45.
At our GI Cancer Prevention clinics, we provide a personalized prevention plan for individuals who have a high risk of GI cancer and may be more likely to develop cancer at younger ages. Because there are often no warning signs of colon cancer or other GI cancers in early stages, proactive screening and surveillance are critical to preventing or catching the disease early when treatment options and outcomes are better.
Our GI cancer prevention services
Our compassionate GI cancer prevention experts tailor recommendations to fit your specific needs based on your health, personal and family history, and preferences. Recommendations may include one or more of the following:
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Genetic testing
Through genetic testing and counseling, we identify high-risk individuals with genetic markers or a strong family history predisposing them to develop GI cancer.
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Lifestyle modifications
During your first visit to our prevention clinic, we’ll discuss environmental factors and lifestyle changes that may help to lower your risk of GI cancer.
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Cancer screenings and surveillance
Annual clinic visits allow us to monitor your GI health using endoscopy, colonoscopy, imaging studies, and other advanced tests, depending on your diagnosis or specific genetic mutation. Through consistent follow-up care, we can assess any changes to your family history and recommend up-to-date cancer prevention strategies based on emerging clinical trials or research.
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Medications
We offer the latest evidence-based therapies to reduce the risk of developing or recurring GI cancer for eligible patients (chemoprevention), such as aspirin for patients with Lynch syndrome.
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Risk-reducing surgery
Patients who have Lynch syndrome or another inherited syndrome linked to GI cancer may consider the pros and cons of preventative surgery to help prevent cancer. Our GI specialists can help you weigh the benefits and risks for your particular situation.
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Clinical trials
Through our research engine, Georgetown University’s Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center—the only National Cancer Institute (NCI)-designated comprehensive cancer center in the Washington, D.C., region—patients have access to clinical trials and the latest breakthroughs in cancer care.
Why choose us
Our GI Cancer Prevention Program is the only program in the Washington, D.C., metropolitan area offering comprehensive, personalized preventative GI cancer care for high-risk patients and their families. Patients choose us because we offer:
- A multidisciplinary approach with specialized expertise: Our highly-trained specialists include adult and pediatric gastroenterologists, genetic counselors, colorectal surgeons, and oncologists who are experts in risk assessment, genetic testing, and GI cancer screening and treatment. With a special interest in cancer genetics, we’re passionate about helping patients understand their familial risk factors and optimize their health.
- Easy access and seamless coordination: We make it easy to get the specialized care you need to lower your risk of colon cancer or other GI cancers, in one annual appointment. Our clinics provide a “one-stop-shop” for risk assessment, screening, and ongoing surveillance of your health. And, if you need additional specialty care, we work side-by-side with other experts across the MedStar Health network to ensure you receive comprehensive, holistic care for all of your medical and emotional needs.
- Research and clinical trials: Our High-Risk Gastrointestinal Cancer Registry offers patients and families at high risk for GI cancers the chance to get involved in research. The first and only in Washington, D.C., the registry is designed to help researchers better understand Lynch syndrome diagnosis and how to manage it, and lead to future advances in clinical care. In addition, our GI specialists regularly participate in and recommend clinical trials to improve how GI cancers are detected, prevented, and treated.
Our providers
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Walid Mounir Chalhoub, MD
Gastroenterology
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Nadim G Haddad, MD
Gastroenterology
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Priyanka Kanth, MD, MS
Cancer Genetics & Gastroenterology
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Meggin A. Sabatino, DNP
Gastroenterology
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Our locations
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MedStar Health: Gastroenterology at MedStar Georgetown University Hospital
3800 Reservoir Road, NW Main Hospital Building, Second Floor Room M2210 Washington, DC 20007
Frequently asked questions
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What are the most common types of GI cancers?
GI cancer is any malignant growth that begins in the digestive tract, including the colon, stomach, pancreas, small bowel, and other organs. The most common type of GI cancer is colon cancer, which is often preventable through routine colonoscopies. Individuals with a high risk of colon cancer may benefit from earlier or more frequent colon cancer screenings, and our clinic provides personalized recommendations to help you understand and manage your risk of the disease.
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What can I expect at my first appointment in the clinic?
At your first appointment, you can expect your doctor to review and discuss:
- Your genetic testing results and/or diagnosis (e.g., Lynch syndrome)
- Your personal and family history of GI cancer
- Specific gene mutations and related risk factors
- Environmental or lifestyle changes that may help to reduce your cancer risk
- Individualized prevention strategies, including how and when you should undergo cancer screenings
- Who else in your family should consider genetic testing
- Referrals to nearby providers for additional specialty care, when appropriate
Depending on your personal risk factors, your doctor may recommend follow-up care every one to three years. Through ongoing surveillance, we can reassess your risk factors, discuss any emerging research or clinical trials that may offer a benefit, and reevaluate any changes in your family history.
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How can I make an appointment with the GI Cancer Prevention Program?
If you have a strong family history of GI cancer or were diagnosed with Lynch syndrome or another hereditary GI cancer syndrome, you can:
- Ask your primary care doctor or oncologist for a referral to our clinic
- Call us directly to self-refer
Call us today to schedule an appointment with our GI cancer prevention specialists:
Washington, D.C.: To schedule an appointment with our GI Cancer Prevention Program at MedStar Georgetown University Hospital, call 202-444-1667
Virginia: To schedule an appointment with our GI Cancer Prevention Program at MedStar Health Medical Center at Mclean in Virginia, call 703-850-8060
Videos
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Gastrointestinal Cancer: Ask Dr. Priyanka Kanth
Priyanka Kanth, MD, MS, is a gastroenterologist, Associate Professor at MedStar Georgetown University Hospital, and the Director of the Gastrointestinal Cancer Prevention Program at MedStar Georgetown. She cares for patients and families with a high risk of gastrointestinal cancers, with a special interest in colon cancer prevention and hereditary GI cancer syndromes, including Lynch syndrome, among others.
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Facebook Live: Colon Cancer Prevention
Learn about colon cancer prevention, genetic testing, and screening from MedStar Health GI cancer experts in Washington, D.C.