Artificial intelligence is doing more than improving colonoscopy detection—it’s helping more patients complete screening in the first place. This case study highlights how Atlantic Health is using AI-powered patient outreach to answer prep questions, reduce cancellations, and streamline communication, making one of medicine’s most effective cancer screening tests easier to navigate. The article also explores the operational impact of AI, from easing administrative workloads to standardizing patient education across multiple sites. Early results suggest that thoughtfully implemented AI can improve both the patient experience and practice efficiency without replacing physician oversight.
Author: Abhay Panchal
Benjamin H. Levy III, MD: Welcome to Pearls & Polyps. I’m your host, Benjamin Levy, a gastroenterologist at the University of Chicago. Today, we’re joined by Dr Neil Stollman, gastroenterologist and chief of gastroenterology at Alta Bates Summit Medical Center, Oakland, California. Dr Stollman is past chairman of the American College of Gastroenterology (ACG) Board of Governors and currently serves as treasurer of the Board of Trustees. He is also helping lead efforts to update the ACG diverticulitis guidelines. Dr Stollman is first author of the American Gastroenterological Association (AGA) 2015 guideline on managing acute diverticulitis and has contributed to…
Abbott’s $21 billion acquisition of Exact Sciences is already reshaping its diagnostics business. In its first full quarter since the deal closed, the company reported strong growth driven by Cologuard, while outlining a broader strategy that combines stool- and blood-based colorectal cancer screening to expand its cancer diagnostics portfolio. The article also explores Abbott’s long-term vision for colorectal cancer screening, why the company believes both testing approaches have a role despite current guideline preferences, and how recent product launches and strategic partnerships could influence the future of early cancer detection.
Video capsule endoscopy is no longer just a niche tool for evaluating small-bowel bleeding. In this expert review, Shabana F. Pasha, MD, explores the expanding role of capsule endoscopy—from diagnosing Crohn’s disease and iron deficiency anemia to guiding balloon-assisted enteroscopy—while explaining why timing and patient selection can significantly influence diagnostic success. The article also examines emerging advances in AI-assisted capsule reading, compares the latest capsule platforms, and discusses the technology’s limitations. For gastroenterologists, it offers a practical overview of how video capsule endoscopy is evolving into an increasingly important component of modern GI diagnostics.
The AGA Incubator is more than a startup accelerator—it’s a glimpse into where gastroenterology is headed next. This article explores how the program is helping transform promising ideas into practical innovations that could reshape GI care, bringing together clinicians, entrepreneurs, and industry leaders to accelerate the future of digestive health. Featuring startups GI Transit and MiWEndo, the article highlights emerging technologies designed to improve esophageal disease monitoring and colorectal cancer detection. It also offers a behind-the-scenes look at how the AGA Incubator is fostering collaboration, clinical validation, and commercialization to bring the next generation of GI technologies closer to patients.
Authored by gastroenterologist Aasma Shaukat, MD, MPH, this commentary argues that while blood-based colorectal cancer screening tests are gaining attention for their convenience, they should not replace colonoscopy or stool-based screening for most patients. The author explains that current blood tests are less effective at detecting early-stage cancers and precancerous polyps, making them a less reliable first-line screening option. Shaukat recommends reserving blood-based tests for patients who decline or cannot complete recommended screening methods, with clear discussions about their limitations. Until stronger evidence and implementation frameworks are available, she urges practices to prioritize proven screening strategies while carefully evaluating where…
Early-onset gastrointestinal cancers are rising—and colorectal cancer is only part of the story. Mayo Clinic experts warn that stomach, esophageal, pancreatic, and other GI cancers are also being diagnosed more frequently in adults under 50, underscoring the need to take persistent symptoms seriously rather than dismissing them because of age. The article highlights key risk factors, warning signs, and advances in personalized care, including genetic testing, tumor profiling, immunotherapy, and AI-assisted cancer detection. It also emphasizes that earlier recognition and timely evaluation can improve treatment options and outcomes for younger patients.
Freenome has officially become a publicly traded company after completing a business combination that raised more than $300 million to advance its AI-powered, blood-based cancer screening platform. The funding will support the commercialization of its colorectal cancer screening test, expansion into additional cancer indications, and further development of its AI-enabled multiomics platform through partnerships with Abbott and Roche. The company says its long-term strategy combines blood-based screening, AI, and real-world clinical data to deliver more personalized cancer detection and continuously improve test performance over time. With new capital and public market backing, Freenome aims to expand access to early cancer…
In this episode of The Scope Forward Show, Praveen Suthrum speaks with Dr. Neelima Reddy, Gastroenterologist | Governor, ACG Louisiana.This was how Dr. Neelima Reddy was introduced to me by email. Dr. Reddy is a powerhouse who has single handedly brought many GI MDs under two WhatsApp forums allowing for shared thoughts, vendor intros/demos, business intel sharing and more. As you’ll discover, she’s indeed a powerhouse and a lot more. In this episode of The Scope Forward Show, Dr. Neelima Reddy, gastroenterologist and ACG Governor for Louisiana, shares the story of how WhatsApp has unified several hundred gastroenterologists. Starting with the women in GI and South Asian GIs, these groups…
A large national study found that patients with a positive multitarget stool DNA (mt-sDNA) test were significantly more likely to complete the recommended follow-up colonoscopy than those with a positive FIT/FOBT test. Follow-up colonoscopy was completed by 77.1% of mt-sDNA patients compared with 45.1% of FIT/FOBT patients, with faster follow-up across every racial and ethnic group. The study also found that patients screened with mt-sDNA were nearly four times more likely to complete a follow-up colonoscopy after adjusting for demographic and insurance differences. While disparities in follow-up persisted across racial and ethnic groups, the findings suggest that screening modality and…