cancer screening

Screening for Colorectal Cancer

The gastroenterologists at PGA our supportive of the BC Colon Screening Program and participate in BC Colon Screening Program colonoscopies, performed at St. Paul's Hospital GI Clinic or at out out of hospital endoscopy facility The Gastrointestinal Research Institute located at our offices on Hornby Street.

FIT every 2 years from 50 years to 74 years of age. Fill in the Standard Outpatient Laboratory Requisition and fill in the box for the Colon Screening Program. If the FIT is positive, then your patient will automatically be referred to Health Authority staff to book a colonoscopy. If the FIT is negative, the patient will be automatically recalled by the Colon Screening Program for repeat FIT in 2 years.

Higher than average risk individuals are eligible for colonoscopy every 5 years arranged through the Colon Screening Program. These are individuals with a personal history of a neoplastic polyp or a first degree relative diagnosed with colorectal cancer < 60 years of age or two or more first degree relatives diagnosed at any age.

http://www.bccancer.bc.ca/screening/colon

Hereditary Cancer Syndromes

The gastroenterologists at PGA are interested and have expertise in screening patients with hereditary cancer syndromes such as Familial Adenomatous Polyposis, Lynch Syndrome, individuals at higher risk f for gastric cancer and individuals at higher risk for pancreatic cancer

Did you know that you can refer and patients can self-refer to the BC Cancer Hereditary Cancer Program? http://www.bccancer.bc.ca/our-services/services/hereditary-cancer

functional gastrointestinal diseases

Irritable Bowel Disease

Irritable Bowel Disease is a clinical diagnosis and generally does not require a gastroenterology assessment or endoscopic investigations. A review on the management of IBS can be found here: https://www.cmaj.ca/content/192/11/E275

Functional Dyspepsia

Dyspepsia is a clinical diagnosis and generally does not require a gastroenterology assessment or endoscopic investigations. Guidelines for the management of dyspepsia can be found here:

https://journals.lww.com/ajg/fulltext/2017/07000/ACG_and_CAG_Clinical_Guideline__Management_of.10.aspx

Dietitians

Dietary therapies can be very successful in managing functional gastrointestinal diseases. Patients can connect with a dietitian using the 811 helpline or be referred within their Health Authority.