At Gastroenterology Associates of the Piedmont (GAP), our mission has always been to provide compassionate, patient-centered care to the Greater Piedmont Triad. Today, we’re proud to announce a significant collaboration with Novant Health, to launch a groundbreaking multidisciplinary early pancreatic cancer screening program—explicitly designed to serve patients at high risk across the Triad.
Why It Matters
Pancreatic cancer remains one of the most challenging cancers to detect early because symptoms often go unnoticed until advanced stages. As a result, the five-year survival rate remains alarmingly low—around 13%. However, early detection can dramatically improve outcomes when the disease is still localized.
That’s why this new initiative is so vital. It could change the trajectory for high-risk patients in our community by enabling proactive, localized screening and timely connection to treatment before the cancer spreads.
Program Workflow & Patient Journey
- Patients with a personal or family history of cancer undergo genetic risk assessment through Novant Health’s Cancer Institute, Triad Region.
- Those identified as higher risk become eligible for enhanced screening. At that point, patients are referred to our new multispecialty pancreatic cancer screening program, delivered locally here at GAP.
- Once a participant of the program, patients will be under the care of a gastroenterologist, a geneticist, and a nutritionist.
What This Means for You
This new screening program brings lifesaving care closer to home. Here’s how it benefits you and your loved ones:
- Accessible, expert care: High-risk patients no longer need to travel far to join a cutting-edge screening program.
- Early detection = better outcomes: Identifying disease early increases the likelihood of successful treatment.
- Community collaboration: This program is a testament to how strong partnerships between providers—like GAP and Novant Health—can bring life-saving care directly to patients where they live.
GAP’s Commitment to Early Detection and Regional Access
As a leading provider of gastrointestinal care in the region, Gastroenterology Associates of the Piedmont (GAP) is proud to play a key role in this collaborative effort. Our expert team brings decades of experience in detecting and treating pancreatic and other digestive diseases, using the most advanced technologies and patient-focused approaches. GAP is committed to ensuring that patients throughout the Triad have local access to this innovative screening program. Our participation in this effort aligns with our ongoing mission to improve health outcomes through prevention, early diagnosis, and exceptional specialty care.
Expanding Access to Early Pancreatic Cancer Screening in the Triad
At GAP, we believe that access to early pancreatic cancer screening shouldn’t be a luxury—it should be a standard. Through this partnership with Novant Health, we’re making meaningful strides in the fight against pancreatic cancer, right here in the Triad. If you or a loved one has a family history of pancreatic or related cancers, talk to your provider about a risk assessment and whether this screening program may be right for you. To learn more or schedule an appointment, call GAP at 336-448-2427.
Together, we’re creating a healthier future—one patient at a time.
