Rachel Issaka, MD, MAS

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Issaka
Rachel Issaka, MD, MAS
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Rachel Issaka, MD, MAS

  • Physician, Fred Hutch
  • Director, Population Health Colorectal Cancer Screening Program, Fred Hutch and UW Medicine
  • Associate Professor, Public Health Sciences Division, Fred Hutch
  • Associate Professor, Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Clinical Research Division, Fred Hutch
  • Associate Professor, Hutchinson Institute for Cancer Outcomes Research (HICOR), Fred Hutch
  • Kathryn Surace-Smith Endowed Chair in Health Equity Research, Fred Hutch
  • Associate Professor, Department of Internal Medicine; Division of Gastroenterology, University of Washington School of Medicine

Gastroenterology

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“My approach to care is based on meeting patients where they are — understanding what each person needs at that moment in time and what obstacles they face, and then finding the resources and tools to help them achieve their health goals. I want patients to walk away from our consultations feeling empowered to handle any gastrointestinal challenge.”

— Dr. Issaka

What experiences have informed your clinical research and approach to care?

During my medical residency, I provided care at two clinics in Chicago. One was in downtown, and the other was on the South Side. My patients in the downtown clinic, who were mostly white, would almost always accept my offer to complete colorectal cancer screening, while my patients on the South Side, who were mostly Black and Latino, were much more hesitant about completing screening. I wondered why there was such a difference in responses to a potentially lifesaving test. I would come to learn about the multiple barriers many racial and ethnic minorities and low-income individuals face in accessing colon cancer screenings: a lack of referral, transportation and care coordination, to name just a few. That experience inspired my current clinical research in colon cancer and has also influenced the way I practice medicine. My approach to care is based on meeting patients where they are — understanding what each person needs at that moment in time and what obstacles they face, and then finding the resources and tools to help them achieve their health goals. I want patients to walk away from our consultations feeling empowered to handle any gastrointestinal challenge.

Tell us about an interaction with a patient that has had a significant impact on you.

I was a member of the care team for a patient who was experiencing symptoms consistent with colon cancer. I performed his colonoscopy and unfortunately found a tumor. Our pathologists quickly confirmed the diagnosis of cancer, and our radiologists were able to complete his scans a few days later, which showed the cancer had not spread outside of his colon. Within the same week, he was able to meet the surgeon, who ultimately removed the cancer. A week later, he was thrilled to be discharged from the hospital. Not every situation turns out this way, but the reason we were able to coordinate his care so rapidly was because of the multidisciplinary nature of Fred Hutch. Sharing space with a variety of cancer care experts facilitates collaboration and ultimately improves our patients’ experiences and outcomes.

Provider Background

Area of Clinical Practice
Gastrointestinal (GI) cancers, GI problems associated with cancer and cancer treatment

I am a board-certified gastroenterologist who specializes in the digestive issues associated with cancer or cancer treatment. These issues include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain and more. I provide care for patients with all types of cancers in order to improve their quality of life during and after cancer treatment.

My clinical research spans the full colorectal cancer care continuum, from prevention to diagnosis to surveillance. I lead a Fred Hutch lab that studies how to improve colorectal cancer outcomes through interventions that increase screening participation and follow-up of abnormal stool-based screening tests. Our mission is to decrease the mortality of this disease, especially in racial and ethnic minorities and other medically underserved populations.

Diseases Treated

Colon Cancer

Gastrointestinal Cancer

Education, Experience and Certifications

Medical Degree
University of Michigan

Residency
McGaw Medical Center of Northwestern University, Internal Medicine

Fellowship
University of California, San Francisco, Gastroentereology & Hepatology

Board Certification
Gastroenterology, 2017; Internal Medicine, 2013, American Board of Internal Medicine

Other
Master of Advanced Studies in Clinical Research, University of California, San Francisco

Awards

Seattle Met's 2023 Top Doctors award
Dr. Issaka has received this peer-nominated award for exceptional patient care.

Clinical Trials

We make promising new treatments available to you through studies called clinical trials led by Fred Hutch physicians. Many of these trials at Fred Hutch have led to FDA-approved treatments and have improved standards of care globally. Together, you and your physician can decide if a study is right for you. 

Find a Clinical Trial Led by Dr. Issaka

Publications

Many of our Fred Hutch physicians conduct ongoing research to improve standards of patient care. Their work is evaluated by other physicians and selected for publication to the United States National Library of Medicine, the largest medical library in the world. See scientific papers this Fred Hutch physician has written. 

View Dr. Issaka's Publications

Your Care Team

At Fred Hutch, you receive care from a team of providers with extensive experience in your disease. Your team includes physicians, a patient care coordinator, a registered nurse, an advanced practice provider and others, based on your needs. You also have access to experts like registered dieticians, social workers, acupuncturists, psychiatrists and more who specialize in supporting people with cancer or blood disorders.

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Insurance

Fred Hutch accepts most national private health insurance plans as well as Medicare. We also accept Medicaid for people from Washington, Alaska, Montana and Idaho. We are working to ensure that everyone, no matter what their financial situation, has access to the care they need.

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