Northwest Gastroenterology & Endoscopy

Visit our new state-of-the-art facility in Barkley Village at 3111 Woburn Street.

WHAT DO WE DO AT NWGASTRO/ENDO?

The nine gastroenterologists and five advanced practice providers at Northwest Gastroenterology & Endoscopy care for a wide range of diseases and conditions of the digestive system such as gastroesophageal reflux system disease (GERD), swallowing problems, abdominal pain, nausea and vomiting, liver disease, gallbladder disorders, diarrhea, constipation, Celiac disease, inflammatory bowel disease (which includes Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis), and pancreatic disorders. However, one of the most important aspects of gastroenterology is prevention, including the prevention of colon cancer.

HOW DO I KNOW IF I AM AT HIGH RISK FOR COLON CANCER?

You fall in the high-risk category if you have any one of the following: a first degree relative (parent, sibling, child) who developed colon cancer before age 60; multiple first-degree relatives with colon cancer at any age; an inherited colorectal cancer syndrome; ulcerative colitis; Crohn’s colitis, a personal history of colorectal cancer or pre-cancerous colorectal polyps; or symptoms such as rectal bleeding, anemia, a change in bowel habits, persistent abdominal pain or unintentional weight loss.

WHY IS COLON CANCER PREVENTION IMPORTANT?

Anyone can get colorectal (colon) cancer and most people don’t experience symptoms in the early stages, which is why regular screening can save your life Your lifetime risk of developing colon cancer is approximately 5% if you are an average risk individual Colon cancer is the second most common cause of cancer death in the United States and it is estimated that two-thirds of those deaths could be prevented through regular screening Colon cancer is one of the few cancers that can be prevented through regular screening and when it is caught early, it has a 90% survival rate.

HOW CAN I PREVENT COLON CANCER?

If you are at average risk for colon cancer, you have three options for screening: the stool-based FIT (fecal immunohistochemistry) every year, the stool-based DNA test (Cologuard®) every three years, or colonoscopy every 10 years.

If you are at high risk, colonoscopy is the only advised option and your doctor may recommend you have a colonoscopy, even if you are younger than age 45. Colonoscopy is the only screening test that prevents colon cancer by providing the unique ability to identify and remove (pre-cancerous) polyps before they become cancerous.

Providers

Jash Bansal, MD, MPH

Alison Freeman, MD, MPH

Donald Gullickson, MD

Kelly McCullough, MD

Gregory Munson, MD

Christoph Reitz, MD

Kristina Ross, MD

Benjamin Siemanowski, MD

Dylan Stanfield, MD (new for 2023)

Rinad Tabbalat, MD (new for 2023)

Todd Witte, MD

Jody Bauer, ARNP

Megan Britson, PA-C

Kristin Page, ARNP

Elizabeth Waltman, PA-C

WHEN SHOULD I START GETTING CHECKED?

The new recommendations are to begin screening at age 45 for people who are at average risk for colon cancer. This lower age recommendation is an e ort to catch and prevent more cases of colon cancer, which sadly is happening to younger people, for unclear reasons.

WHY CHOOSE NORTHWEST GASTROENTEROLOGY & ENDOSCOPY?

At Northwest Gastroenterology & Endoscopy, our doctors exceed national standards for colonoscopy quality We have also integrated new, state-of-the-art and FDA-approved artificial intelligence (AI) into our colonoscopy procedures. Careful, compassionate, high-quality care continues to be our focus and is our best way to save lives by reducing the risk of colon cancer.

Darla Woolman, PA-C

Northwest Gastroenterology & Endoscopy

New address: 3111 Woburn St., Bellingham WA, 98226 360.734.1420, nwgastroendo.com