At ACG 2025, Exact Sciences presented compelling new research showing how its Cologuard® and Cologuard Plus™ tests drive higher colorectal cancer screening completion rates — especially among underserved and older populations. Studies revealed that mt-sDNA users were 74% more likely to complete screening than FIT users, and that digital outreach doubled engagement. Modeling also showed next-gen Cologuard detecting 5.5x more precancers and cutting treatment costs versus FIT. Together, the findings strengthen the case for noninvasive, at-home testing as a cornerstone of equitable CRC prevention.
Author: Abhay Panchal
1. Compensation decline in real terms: Average gastroenterologist pay dropped from $512,000 in 2023 to $495,000 in 2024, reflecting a 3% nominal decline — and because inflation has pushed the equivalent of 2015’s $370,000 salary to around $502,930 today, the 2024 average actually represents a real-term pay cut. This contravenes expectations given rising costs and practice burdens, making it harder for GI practices to sustain independent models. 2. Only 37% of GIs feel fairly compensated: This reflects a persistent misalignment between reimbursement and workload intensity. The dissatisfaction is prompting worries about burnout, retention and the specialty’s migration toward hospital employment.
A breakthrough study published in Clinical and Translational Gastroenterology, the official journal of the ACG, showcases ProPhase Labs’ BE-Smart — an 8-protein, mass-spectrometry-based assay that accurately predicts which Barrett’s esophagus patients are likely to develop esophageal cancer. Developed with the Mayo Clinic, BE-Smart achieved 100% sensitivity and a hazard ratio of 66, marking a major leap in molecular risk stratification. The test requires minimal tissue and works with standard biopsies, offering a scalable, next-generation approach for early cancer detection. Early access and physician programs are set to launch in early 2026.
In a move signaling the next leap in GI innovation, Dallas-based Surgical Automations has raised $3.4 million in an oversubscribed seed round co-led by Dr. Fred Moll (founder of Intuitive Surgical) and TurboStart. Operating largely in stealth, the company is developing the Vāsuki Robotic System — a platform combining robotics, sensors, and AI-driven navigation to automate key steps in upper and lower GI procedures. With ambitions to make colonoscopy faster, safer, and more precise, Surgical Automations is now advancing toward pre-clinical validation and its first human trials.
EndoQuest Robotics is integrating NVIDIA’s IGX Thor platform — built on the Blackwell architecture — to accelerate its next-generation endoluminal surgical robot. The collaboration will combine NVIDIA’s AI stack (Holoscan, CUDA, AI Enterprise) with EndoQuest’s visualization and robotic control systems to enable real-time image processing, precise motion control, and secure cloud intelligence. This move strengthens EndoQuest’s roadmap toward commercializing its flexible robotic system as it advances the PARADIGM Trial in GI and colorectal surgery. [Read more →]
A new study presented at ACG 2025 showed that patients receiving both in-person and virtual multidisciplinary GI care experienced major improvements in symptom severity, control, and satisfaction — while cutting all-cause costs by up to 25%. The hybrid model, led by dietitians, psychologists, and GI specialists, reduced ER visits and surgeries across nearly 2,000 patients. As Oshi Health’s Dr. Sameer Berry noted, it’s not telehealth vs. traditional care — it’s the combination that’s transforming outcomes.
United Digestive has partnered with Gastro MD and Gastroenterology of Greater Orlando, adding 32 providers across six clinics and two ASCs in Tampa, Orlando, and Daytona. The collaboration strengthens United Digestive’s position as a leading GI platform in the Southeast—enabling physician-led, integrated care while easing administrative load through advanced infrastructure and innovation support. Both practices will retain their brands as they join forces to expand high-quality digestive health access across Florida. [Read more →]
This year’s HLTH conference delivered big news: Mark Cuban’s Cost Plus Drugs is joining forces with TrumpRx to shake up drug pricing, Optum unveiled an AI-powered claims platform, and Cedar launched tools to help patients afford care. Oscar Health debuted a menopause-focused ACA plan, while the AMA opened a new digital health and AI center. Knownwell secured $25M from CVS Health Ventures, and Highmark Health partnered with Noom to bring behavior-driven weight management to millions. Each move signals how fast the healthcare landscape is shifting.
In part two of his series, Dr. Klaus Mergener shifts from legal basics to the day-to-day realities that shape a GI fellow’s career. From clearly defined clinical and on-call duties to how compensation and benefits are structured, he warns against vague contract language that can quietly expand responsibilities without fair pay. With practical advice on reporting relationships, performance evaluations, and supervisory roles, the piece underscores why clarity upfront can mean the difference between a thriving career and early burnout. [Read more →]
Results from GRAIL’s registrational PATHFINDER 2 study, presented at ESMO 2025, show that adding the Galleri multi-cancer early detection (MCED) blood test to standard screenings increased cancer detection rates more than seven-fold. Over half of Galleri-detected cancers were found at early stages, when treatment is most effective, and nearly three-quarters of cases were in cancers without current screening options. The test demonstrated high accuracy in identifying cancer signal origin, enabling faster and more efficient diagnostic workups, with a false positive rate of only 0.4%. With FDA submission underway, Galleri positions itself as a potential game-changer in how we approach population-level…