Hereditary Gastrointestinal Cancer Risk Assessment Program

Some types of gastrointestinal (GI) cancer have been found to run in families due to a hereditary predisposition. These include some colorectal cancers and certain cancers of the stomach, small intestine and pancreas.  

According to the American Cancer Society, approximately 5 percent of all colorectal cancers are due to well-known changes in certain genes, modifications that can be passed down from generation to generation. If you have a relative who has been diagnosed with colorectal cancer or any gastrointestinal cancer at a young age or you have a family history of related malignancies, you may have a higher risk of developing the disease.  

Gastrointestinal Cancer Risk Assessment Program at Loyola Medicine

Loyola’s gastrointestinal cancer risk assessment program provides a complete medical evaluation to determine if you or your blood relatives may be at increased risk for developing colorectal and other hereditary GI cancers. If an increased risk is determined, our multidisciplinary team of specialists, including gastroenterologists, colorectal surgeons, genetic counselors, and dietitians, develops a comprehensive strategy to help people with a family history of gastrointestinal or pancreatic cancers make informed decisions about their health.

If you have a genetic predisposition to GI or pancreatic cancers, we will closely monitor you through regular doctors’ visits and screenings such as colonoscopies or endoscopies. This kind of management allows for early detection and even cancer prevention, which can empower you to take control of your cancer risk.

The more we know about the cancer risk in your family, the better we can help you make informed decisions about how to manage the risk and potential problems for you and your parents, siblings, children or even extended family.

Why choose Loyola for GI cancer risk assessment?

What sets Loyola apart is our commitment to whole-person care. We combine leading-edge diagnostics, evidence-based prevention strategies, and compassionate support to help you understand your risk and take proactive steps toward long-term health.

Loyola Medicine offers one of the most advanced gastrointestinal cancer risk assessment programs in the Chicago area. Tailored for individuals with a personal or family history of GI cancers, our program delivers a comprehensive, multidisciplinary evaluation in a single visit. 

At Loyola Medicine, our gastrointestinal cancer risk assessment program is powered by a dedicated, multidisciplinary team of experts who specialize in identifying and managing hereditary risks for GI cancers. Our team brings together compassionate care and cutting-edge expertise to help individuals and families understand their cancer risk and take proactive steps toward prevention and early detection. 

Conditions Treated by the Gastrointestinal Cancer Risk Assessment Program

Our team specializes in evaluating genetic risk factors and providing personalized care plans for a range of conditions that may increase your likelihood of developing GI cancers.

We provide expert assessment and management for the following conditions:

• Colon cancer
• Rectal cancer
• Pancreatic cancer
• Anal cancer
• Familial Adenomatous Polyposis
• Lynch syndrome
• MUTYH-associated polyposis
• Cowden syndrome
• Peutz-Jeghers syndrome (PJS) 

When you come to your scheduled appointment in the GI cancer risk assessment clinic at the Cardinal Bernardin Cancer Center, we begin with a comprehensive medical evaluation and a review of your medical and family history. Then our multidisciplinary team – which includes a nurse, oncologist, gastroenterologist, colorectal surgeon, surgical oncologist  and genetic counselor – will review the findings in detail. Next, we will discuss our recommendations with you and, if indicated, assist with scheduling a colonoscopy, endoscopy, another diagnostic test, or even surgery.

Our team uses a comprehensive family history and genetic testing to identify many of the inherited syndromes that put people at increased risk for developing GI or pancreatic cancers. If the genetic tests are appropriate to the patient, most insurance policies cover the cost.

If we identify a gene linked to Lynch Syndrome, Familial Adenomatous Polyposis or another inherited GI cancer syndromes, you can share this information with members of your immediate and extended family so that they, too, can learn their risk and best course of action.

Cancer Risk Assessment Clinic

The Cancer Risk Assessment Clinic at the Cardinal Bernardin Cancer Center offers patients a thorough and personalized approach to understanding and managing their risk for inherited gastrointestinal cancers. Through detailed evaluations, state-of-the-art genetic testing, and the collaborative expertise of our multidisciplinary team, we provide clear, actionable recommendations tailored to each individual’s needs. Our goal is not only to support patients with early detection and prevention strategies, but also to empower families with vital information that can guide health decisions for generations to come.

As part of the evaluation, in addition to blood and stool tests, patients may undergo one or several of the following tests:

• Upper Endoscopy (EGD) – A procedure using a flexible tube with a camera to visualize the esophagus, stomach, and duodenum for abnormalities.
• Video Capsule Endoscopy – A swallowed capsule with a camera captures images of the small intestine to detect mass lesions or bleeding sources.
• MRCP (Magnetic Resonance Cholangiopancreatography) – A specialized MRI technique to visualize the bile ducts, pancreatic ducts, and gallbladder noninvasively.
• EUS (Endoscopic Ultrasound) – Combines endoscopy and ultrasound to obtain high-resolution images of the GI tract and nearby organs, including the pancreas.
• Colonoscopy – A flexible scope is used to examine the entire colon and rectum for polyps, cancer, or other abnormalities.
• CT (Computed Tomography) or MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging) – A detailed cross-sectional imaging method providing high-resolution images of soft tissues to evaluate liver, pancreas, and bowel structures for malignancy. 

At the Loyola Medicine Gastrointestinal Hereditary Cancer Clinic, our approach to treatment is grounded in personalized, evidence-based care designed to reduce cancer risk and detect disease at its earliest, most treatable stages.  

Genetic testing and counseling

One of the cornerstones of our treatment strategy is genetic testing, which helps identify inherited cancer syndromes. When a pathogenic genetic variant is found, we tailor treatment and surveillance plans to the individual's specific risk profile. Genetic counseling is also provided to help patients and their families understand the implications of the results and make informed decisions about their care.

Colorectal cancer surveillance

For individuals with hereditary syndromes that increase the risk of colorectal cancer, we recommend and perform colonoscopies at more frequent intervals than the general population. Early and regular surveillance through colonoscopy plays a vital role in detecting precancerous polyps or early-stage cancers before symptoms arise. In some cases, upper endoscopy is also indicated to monitor for cancers in the stomach or small intestine. These procedures are performed by experienced gastroenterologists using advanced endoscopic techniques, ensuring accurate diagnosis and the highest standard of care.

Pancreatic cancer imaging

In addition to routine endoscopic surveillance, our clinic offers specialized imaging for individuals with an elevated genetic risk of pancreatic cancer, such as those with BRCA mutations or a strong family history of the disease. We utilize advanced imaging technologies like endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) and magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography (MRCP) to detect subtle changes in the pancreas that may signal early cancer development. These imaging studies are often integrated into a structured surveillance protocol designed in coordination with national guidelines and personalized to the patient’s risk factors. 

As an academic medical center, Loyola’s Division of Gastroenterology and Nutrition places special emphasis on research. We view this as essential to advancing the field and improving outcomes for our patients.

Loyola’s Hereditary Cancer Risk Assessment Program has extensive experience in clinical care and clinical research. Advancements and active research include:

• The impact of small bowel imaging to detect precancerous lesions
• Role of deep enteroscopy in Peutz-Jeghers syndrome (PJS)
• Impact of genetic testing in multiple polyps of the colon
• Impact of EUS on pancreatic cancer screening
• Role of genetic testing in early-onset colorectal cancer

Our program continues to maintain an active research presence with participation in clinical trials, treatment registries, as well as patient opportunities to be part of a research database to ultimately help improve the diagnosis and management of hereditary GI and pancreatic cancers.

Learn about our clinical trials