About John Martin
Specialty: Consultant Gastroenterologist, with specialist interests in colorectal cancer screening, diagnostic and therapeutic colonoscopy, and luminal gastroenterology
Conditions seen: bowel cancer, inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), changes in bowel habit, chronic constipation, chronic diarrhoea, rectal bleeding, stomach pain, dyspepsia, acid reflux and gastro-oesophageal reflux disease (GORD), disease of the small intestine
Tests, treatments and procedures: colonoscopy, gastroscopy, flexible sigmoidoscopy, video capsule endoscopy, advanced polypectomy, private bowel cancer screening and prevention, gut microbiome testing, point-of-care stool testing
Often consulted by patients with: unexplained digestive symptoms such as rectal bleeding, chronic diarrhoea or constipation, or stomach pain, and by patients wanting private bowel cancer screening
Patient ages seen: 18+
Also: Director of the West London Bowel Cancer Screening Centre and West London Capsule Endoscopy; professional advisor to Public Health England on endoscopy quality in the National Bowel Cancer Screening Programme; member of the NICE committee that developed the colorectal cancer guidelines; over 25 years’ experience
Language: English
Dr John Martin is a Consultant Gastroenterologist at Welbeck’s Digestive Health centre in London. He has particular expertise in bowel cancer screening and colonoscopy, as well as diagnosing and treating a wide range of digestive and bowel problems. These include bowel cancer, inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), chronic constipation and chronic diarrhoea. He also investigates symptoms such as rectal bleeding, changes in bowel habit, stomach pain, dyspepsia, acid reflux and gastro-oesophageal reflux disease (GORD).
Dr Martin has extensive experience in gastrointestinal investigation and endoscopy. He performs colonoscopy, gastroscopy, flexible sigmoidoscopy and video capsule endoscopy, as well as advanced polypectomy to remove bowel polyps. His practice also includes gut microbiome testing and point-of-care stool testing.
Alongside his Welbeck practice, Dr Martin is director of the West London Bowel Cancer Screening Centre and West London Capsule Endoscopy. He is an accredited colonoscopist for the Bowel Cancer Screening Programme and has held senior roles supporting endoscopy quality, including as a professional advisor to Public Health England for the National Bowel Cancer Screening Programme and as an endoscopy professional advisor to London Quality Assurance.
Dr Martin has more than 25 years’ experience in gastroenterology and is actively involved in training other clinicians. He teaches colonoscopy to junior doctors and consultants, including at the St George’s and St Mark’s National Endoscopy Training Centres, and is an examiner for Bowel Cancer Screening Programme colonoscopy accreditation. He was also a member of the NICE committee that developed guidelines on the management of colorectal cancer.
Expertise
- Changes in Bowel Habit
- Rectal Bleeding
- Dyspepsia
- Bowel Cancer Screening
- Colonoscopy
- Gastro-Oesophageal Reflux
- Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD)
- Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)
- Disease of the Small Intestine
- Capsule Endoscopy
Overview
- Age of patients seen
- 18+
- Qualifications
Dr Martin studied at Girton College, Cambridge and King’s College London, qualifying as a doctor in 1990. He completed his specialist training in the North West Thames region and undertook doctoral research at the University of London, investigating novel approaches to colorectal cancer screening.
Qualifications
Master of Arts (MA), University of Cambridge
Doctor of Medicine (MD), University of London
- Languages spoken
- English
- Research highlights
Dr Martin has a longstanding research interest in colorectal cancer screening and prevention. He was the local trial coordinator at St Mark’s Hospital for the FlexiScope trial, a multicentre study investigating whether flexible sigmoidoscopy screening could reduce the incidence of and mortality from colorectal cancer. The study’s positive findings contributed to the evidence base for the introduction of the NHS bowel scope screening programme.
His doctoral research explored new approaches to identifying people at increased risk of colorectal cancer. This included investigating whether DNA extracted from stool or enema washings could be analysed for relevant genetic mutations, and studying the genetic profile of colonic polyps in relation to their risk of developing into cancer. This work led to the award of his Doctor of Medicine (MD) from the University of London.
Since becoming director of the West London Bowel Cancer Screening Centre, Dr Martin has continued to conduct research within the bowel screening population, with findings presented at international conferences. His current research includes collaboration on a novel breath test designed to help identify people with colorectal polyps or cancer.
- Professional memberships
Fellow of the Royal College of Physicians (FRCP)
British Society of Gastroenterology Endoscopy Research Group
St Mark’s Association
American Society of Gastroenterology
Consultations and services
Appointments are available at 1 Welbeck Street, London W1G 0AR.
Enquire online or call 020 3653 2009.
- Self-pay available from £320
- Health insurance
- 20 mins consultation
- Self-pay available from £280
- Health insurance
- 20 mins consultation
Insurers covered
Tests & treatments
Conditions & symptoms
Locations
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Frequently asked questions
Bowel cancer screening aims to identify bowel cancer or changes that could develop into cancer at an early stage, often before symptoms appear. Dr Martin will assess your individual risk and advise which screening approach is appropriate for you. This may include a colonoscopy, which allows the lining of the bowel to be examined directly and any polyps found to be removed where appropriate.
Dr Martin is director of the West London Bowel Cancer Screening Centre and an accredited colonoscopist for the Bowel Cancer Screening Programme, with extensive experience in bowel cancer screening and prevention.
If you have a persistent change in bowel habit or rectal bleeding, Dr Martin can investigate the cause and recommend the most appropriate tests based on your symptoms and medical history. These may include a colonoscopy, which examines the whole large bowel, or a flexible sigmoidoscopy, which examines the lower part of the bowel. Video capsule endoscopy may be used when the small intestine needs to be investigated.
Video capsule endoscopy involves swallowing a small capsule containing a camera, which takes images as it travels through your digestive system. It is particularly useful for examining the small intestine, which can be difficult to see with conventional endoscopy, and can help investigate symptoms or suspected conditions affecting this part of the gut.
Dr Martin is director of West London Capsule Endoscopy and offers video capsule endoscopy at Welbeck. He can advise whether it is the most appropriate investigation based on your symptoms and medical history.
Gut microbiome testing analyses the bacteria in your digestive system and can provide insights into conditions such as irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), bloating, and chronic diarrhoea. Dr Martin offers this testing at Welbeck as part of a comprehensive digestive health assessment.
Yes. Dr Martin assesses and treats persistent acid reflux and gastro-oesophageal reflux disease (GORD). He will discuss your symptoms, how long you have had them and any treatments you have already tried. He may recommend a gastroscopy to examine the oesophagus and stomach He can then recommend tailored treatment based on the findings and your individual symptoms.