Edward Layne MD, SCM

Because of his strong interest in improving medical care in underserved communities, Dr. Layne did an extensive tour of Africa and Europe after completing his postgraduate training, to gain a better understanding of medical care in these diverse cultural settings. Upon his return to America, he served as the Medical Director of the Washington, DC branch of the Georgetown Community Health Plan. In 1980, he moved to Atlanta to help Dr. Louis Sullivan start the clinical department of the new Morehouse Medical School, to provide medical care to underserved communities in the Atlanta, southeast area. Dr Layne served as the first Director of Clinical Medicine at the new Morehouse Medical School.

In 1982, Dr. Layne established an international consulting practice in Gastroenterology, Hepatology, and Clinical Nutrition, based in Atlanta. The practice has provided consulting services to thousands of patients in the US, the Caribbean, and Africa and continues to receive a five star rating from its patients. To date, Dr. Layne has performed more than 70,000 diagnostic and therapeutic endoscopic procedures in the areas of gastroenterology and hepatology.

In the late 90’s, Doctor Layne added My Preventive Health, a “wellness and age management” component to his practice. He began and hosted a television program called “My Preventive Health”, a wellness program that was broadcast on Comcast Cable television in the Atlanta area for many years. He continues to provide wellness education and wellness counseling services to clients on two websites: www.MyPreventiveHealth.org and www.GANClinics.com

1. Gastrointestinal health
2. Colorectal cancer screening
3. Screening for cancers of the esophagus
4. Screening for cancers of the stomach
5. Liver health and disorders of the liver, pancreas, and gallbladder
6. Gastrointestinal health challenges in US veterans
7. Age management medicine
8. Clinical Nutrition and weight control

We firmly believe that the best medicine is prevention, and we apply a holistic approach managing your gastrointestinal health. We listen to your health complaints and try to help you understand what your body is trying to tell you about the health of your gastrointestinal tract. We provide education on how your gastrointestinal tract normally works to protect your health and we help you design a program to identify and correct any problems that you may be having with your health. Finally, we try to understand your overall health goals and work with you to design a program to reach those goals.

What you should know:

Colorectal cancer is one of the few curable cancers that we know. Most colorectal cancers begin as small growths called “polyps” on the inside of the colon. We now know that if these polyps are discovered early and removed, we can prevent the formation of colorectal cancer and sometimes even cure these cancers after they have developed. Dr. Layne has more than 40 years’ experience in the field colorectal cancer screening.

Here are the recommended criteria for colorectal cancer screening for males and females in the United states:

1. all males and females should be screened for colorectal cancer at age 45 or sooner, with the exceptions listed below
2. females of color appear to have an increased incidence of colorectal cancer and should be screened at age 40 or sooner
3. patients with this strong family history of colorectal cancer should be screened 5 to 15 years earlier depending on the age of occurrence of colorectal cancer in the youngest family member
4. patients with persistent rectal bleeding at any age should be screened for colorectal cancer
5. patients with an unexplained change in bowel habits should be screened for colorectal cancer
6. there is a slight increase in the incidence of colorectal cancer In patients with Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis. These patients should be screened regularly for colorectal cancer
7. Patients with a family history of multiple colon polyps (Lynch syndrome) Should be screened 5 to 10 years earlier than the normal recommended age for the onset of colorectal cancer screening.
8. Patients with a history of familial polyposis should be screened for colorectal cancer during childhood or at a very early age
9. Patients with previously diagnosed colorectal cancer who were cured should have Increased frequency of screening for colorectal cancer to minimize the risk of recurrence

Dr. Layne has more than 40 years’ experience in the fields of Gastric and Esophageal cancer screening.

What you should know about esophageal cancer:

Cancer of the esophagus is very common in smokers and can be prevented by avoiding cigarette smoking. Cancer of the esophagus often begins with small patches abnormal lining called Barrett’s mucosa. These early cancers may be curable if they are diagnosed and treated at an early stage. Please see your doctor and ask to be screened for esophageal cancer if you have any of the following symptoms:

1. pain swallowing your food (odynophagia)
2. Difficulty swallowing your food (dysphagia)
3. If you have a family history of Barrett’s mucosa
4. if you are a smoker and you have persistent hoarseness or cough
5. If you have persistent GERD symptoms or esophageal ‘reflux’ that does not respond to conventional treatment

What you should know about Gastric cancer:

1. Pylori infection is the number one cause of stomach cancer in the United States. H pylori infection is treatable. If you have a family history of gastric cancer, you should be screened for H. Pylori infection. Here are some other conditions that may indicate that you need to be screened for gastric cancer:
2. Persistent stomach pain with feeding
3. Previously diagnosed stomach ulcers that do not respond to therapy
4. Persistent stomach pain with feeding if you have traveled extensively in the tropics or in Asia
5. Persistent stomach pain with feeding if you have previously been diagnosed with H pylori infection of the stomach
6. Persistent stomach pain with feeding if you have a first degree relative that has had documented stomach cancer

1. Persistent abdominal pain
2. Pain or difficulty passing your bowel movements
3. severe heartburn (GERD)
4. bleeding from the stomach or esophagus
5. persistent rectal bleeding
6. Pain with swallowing
7. difficulty swallowing
8. Colon polyps
9. colorectal cancer
10. Colitis
11. Crohn’s disease
12. diverticulosis
13. Constipation
14. Stomach cancer
15. H pylori infections

GAN Clinics specialize in the diagnosis and management of hepatitis, the diagnosis and management of gallstone disease, and the diagnosis and management of disorders of the pancreas.

We understand the importance of quality nutrition in the successful management of your health and longevity. Our approach nutrition is to first help you understand the importance of maintaining the health of your gut microbiome. We help you understand how to achieve your desired weight loss by adjusting the content and timing of your meals to optimize burning off excess fat. We add age appropriate fitness programs and weight loss aids as needed to help you achieve your weight loss goals.

Dr. Layne is well known for his work in the screening and prevention of cancers of the esophagus, stomach, colon, and rectum. His other research interests include clinical nutrition, especially as it affects cancers of the gastrointestinal tract, management of the gut microbiome, weight management and weight control. He has a strong interest in healthy ageing, and currently serves as the Medical Director of the Centers for Age Control, the company that developed the AgeMeter®, a noninvasive device that can estimate your “functional age” (how old your body is functioning) and it compare to your “chronological age” (your age measured from your date of birth).

Doctor Layne is a strong believer in philanthropy (giving back). For many years, he, his wife, and his children have supported philanthropic causes that strengthen our community and promote educational opportunities for our youth. Dr. Layne served as the diplomatic representative for Barbados at Atlanta for more than 20 years. He is a member of the Board Of Advisors of the Caribbean Science Foundation, an organization that promotes Computer literacy and STEAM training among junior high and high school students in the Caribbean. Atty. Layne, Dr. Layne’s wife is longstanding Board Member of the Elaine Bryan Foundation, an organization that promotes computer literacy and STEAM education among US high school students. Nicole, their daughter is a Member, Board of Directors of Sheltering Arms, an organization that promotes early childhood education among underprivileged children. Dr. Layne continues to provide free lectures to seniors in several areas of wellness and age management, and he continues to provide outstanding medical care to Veterans in the Atlanta area.