A study published on Cureus evaluated the effectiveness of an app-based digestive care management program. Participants, who were adults with chronic gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms, experienced significant improvements in their symptoms after using the app. The program included symptom tracking, personalized medical nutrition therapy, and health coaching. Results showed that 83% of participants reported better symptom management, with 61% reporting reduced symptom severity. The app demonstrated promise as a tool for improving digestive health outcomes.
Author: Abhay Panchal
Guardant Health and Exact Sciences are making significant bets on blood-based tests for colorectal cancer screening. These companies are investing heavily in advancing non-invasive blood tests that could rival or complement existing screening methods like colonoscopies or stool-based tests. The goal is to increase screening rates, especially for those hesitant about traditional methods. However, the high costs of developing and marketing these tests, coupled with questions about their accuracy and regulatory approval, make this a risky but potentially groundbreaking move in cancer diagnostics.
Viome, a health diagnostics and microbiome company, has raised $25 million in Series D funding and appointed Kal Raman as COO. The company plans to expand its diagnostics division, particularly its CancerDetect test for oral and throat cancer, which has received breakthrough device designation from the FDA. Viome also aims to develop tests for conditions like IBS and IBD. CEO Naveen Jain, Viome’s founder, has raised $200 million to date, with investors including Khosla Ventures and Salesforce’s Marc Benioff.
The updated colonoscopy guidelines, released in August 2024 by the American College of Gastroenterology (ACG) and the American Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy (ASGE), introduce new quality indicators like bowel preparation adequacy and sessile serrated lesion detection rate. Dr. Douglas K. Rex of Indiana University and the co-author of the new guidelines and Dr. Reid Ness of Vanderbilt University emphasize the importance of these updates.
Novo Nordisk announced promising early-stage trial results for its new weight loss pill, amycretin, which showed up to 13% body weight loss in 12 weeks, surpassing the results of its blockbuster injection Wegovy. The study suggests similar side effects to other GLP-1-based drugs like Ozempic. With rising competition from pharma giants like Eli Lilly, Novo is considering accelerating amycretin’s development. If successful, the drug could represent a major shift in obesity treatment. Stock prices for Novo Nordisk surged following the news.
Proto Inc.’s Epic hologram technology is being used for remote cancer consultations, enabling life-size, interactive projections of specialists for patients in rural areas. This innovative approach offers a more natural communication experience, allowing cancer patients at West Cancer Center’s clinic in Paris, Tennessee, to consult with specialists virtually. The technology has gained traction in various fields, including education and entertainment, and holds promise for expanding healthcare access in underserved areas while ensuring secure, private communications through SOC Type 2 security certifications.
Dr. Prateek Sharma highlights the importance of high-quality bowel preparation for effective colonoscopy, the growing use of cold snare polypectomy (with recurrence risks), and advancements in AI for risk stratification of gastrointestinal (GI) bleeding. Studies show that fair bowel prep leads to a lower adenoma detection rate and higher risk of post-colonoscopy colorectal cancer (PCCRC). While cold snare EMR is safer, it has a high polyp recurrence rate. AI models for GI bleeding risk surpass current scoring systems, identifying more low-risk patients for discharge.
Newsweek, in collaboration with Statista, has released its rankings of the World’s Best Specialized Hospitals for 2025 across 12 medical fields, including gastroenterology. The list is based on recommendations from medical professionals, accreditation data, and patient-reported outcomes. It highlights top hospitals globally, such as the Mayo Clinic and Charité, representing countries like the U.S., Germany, Australia, Brazil, and Japan. This ranking aims to help patients choose specialized care beyond their primary physician.
Melissa Adams, a nurse practitioner, felt overworked and undervalued, leading her to quietly quit—performing only the required duties without extra effort. This disengagement, termed “quiet quitting,” is prevalent in healthcare, where 57% of frontline staff report burnout. Causes include unrealistic expectations, lack of respect, poor communication, and dissatisfaction with pay. Addressing these issues through open dialogue, fostering a collaborative atmosphere, and respecting healthcare providers’ roles are essential for preventing disengagement and ensuring better patient care.
Illustration by Maria Corte | The Commonwealth Fund