Prevention, Risk and Screening »Risk Assessment at Fox Chase »Gastrointestinal Cancer

The Gastrointestinal Cancer Risk Assessment program, under the direction of Michael Hall, MD, provides risk assessment, early detection and prevention of gastrointestinal cancers. Gastrointestinal cancers include tumors of the colon, rectum, stomach, pancreas, esophagus, liver and bile duct. Colorectal, stomach (also called gastric) and pancreatic cancers are the most common gastrointestinal cancers among Americans. If you have a personal or family history of gastrointestinal cancer you are eligible to participate. Take your first step to Gastrointestinal Risk Assessment and Prevention by calling us at 215-728-7041 or send a message.

How does Gastrointestinal Cancer Risk Assessment help you?

Our staff will help you detect and prevent gastrointestinal cancers by understanding your personal and family risks and teaching you ways to reduce those risks. The counseling team will explain the various risk factors, how they might affect you and what you can do to protect yourself.

Depending on your family history, counseling may include recommendations on what age you or other family members should begin screening for gastrointestinal cancers to help detect cancers at the earliest, most treatable stage. Screening recommendations may include sigmoidoscopy or colonoscopy, which allows the physician to view the inside of the colon for polyps so they can be removed before they turn into cancers capable of spreading to other parts of the body. Most polyps can be removed without surgery during your colonoscopy.

The genetic counselor or health educator will discuss current research to identify the genes involved in hereditary risks and ways eligible participants may enroll in such studies. Certain genes related to cancer of the colon and rectum have already been identified. The genetic counselor will help people determine if genetic testing is appropriate and beneficial to them.