Prevention & Early Detection

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Your First Appointment

Welcome to the Gastrointestinal Cancer Prevention Program (GICPP) at Seattle Cancer Care Alliance. Your first appointment will be at the main SCCA clinic on Lake Union. This appointment usually lasts 2-3 hours. We recommend that you bring a friend or family member with you to help keep track of the information that your team will be giving you.

Forms You Need for Your First Appointment

Please download, print and complete both the Gastrointestinal Cancer Prevention Program Intake Form and the Gastrointestinal Cancer Prevention Program Cancer Worry questionnaire (click to download PDF). These forms should be completed and faxed (206-288-6406), emailed (prevention@seattlecca.org), or mailed (GICPP, Seattle Cancer Care Alliance, 825 Eastlake Ave E, E2-102, Seattle, WA 98109-1023) at least 1-2 weeks prior to your appointment. Your providers will review these, along with your relevant medical and family records, several days prior to meeting with you.

At the time you schedule your clinic visit, you will be asked for information about your medical history and a family history will be taken. For each of your relatives (e.g. children, siblings, parents, aunts, uncles, grandparents), questions will be asked about their:

  • Age and health status 
  • Cancer risk factors (e.g. smoking, radiation, chemical exposures, etc.) 
  • Colonoscopy results, any colon polyps 
  • Age of any cancer diagnosis and where the cancer originated 

The family history sometimes requires phone call(s) to one or more relative(s). Records may be requested for some of your relatives, and staff will provide assistance with these requests.

At your appointment, you will meet with a gastroenterologist with expertise in hereditary cancer and prevention for individuals at increased risk. You may also meet with a gynecological oncologist, nutritionist and/or genetic counselor, depending on your particular situation. Each provider will make recommendations to you and your healthcare provider for cancer screening and prevention. After your appointment, we'll send you a letter that summarizes our recommendations.

In general, insurance covers the appointment. Pre-authorization is done for nutrition consultation.

General Reminders and Suggestions

Below is a checklist to help you prepare for your appointment. If you have any questions, please contact your patient care coordinator.

  • Be sure to take note of your appointment time and bring any records or imaging CDs as requested by your patient care coordinator.
  • Click here for directions to SCCA or download a map. Parking is available in the SCCA garage. The cost is up to $4.00 per day with validation.
  • Bring your insurance card.
  • Bring a list of medications that you currently take, including supplements.
  • Bring a list of questions to ask your care team. These questions are a good place to start.
  • Wear comfortable shoes and clothing.
  • Bring a book or magazine to help pass the time between appointments.

Orienting Yourself at SCCA

Below is information that you may find helpful in orienting yourself to SCCA. View or print and read at your leisure.