Emerging research suggests it might. A new analysis of NHANES data (2010–2018) involving over 19,000 participants reveals that a high platelet-to-HDL ratio (PHR)—a novel marker integrating inflammation and lipid metabolism—was independently associated with a threefold increase in gastrointestinal (GI) cancer risk. Participants in the highest PHR quartile were significantly more likely to have GI cancers, such as gastric, colorectal, and esophageal.
Author: Abhay Panchal
Something seismic just happened in medtech—and it wasn’t a product launch. It was the emergence of Swan Endosurgical, a stealth startup backed by Olympus and Revival Healthcare Capital that’s set to rewrite the rules of surgical robotics. This isn’t another da Vinci lookalike. Swan is pioneering endoluminal surgery—a new frontier where operations are performed from inside the body through natural orifices. This could render traditional laparoscopy obsolete and shift the surgical robotics industry into a new era. Why this matters: Author Steve Bell highlights how this isn’t just a startup story—it’s a market reset. For imaging giants like Olympus, it’s…
A massive new study analyzing 1.3 million colonoscopies finds that when private equity (PE) acquires GI practices, colonoscopy prices spike up to 7%, and physician revenue rises sharply, yet quality metrics remain flat. Published in JAMA Health Forum, the study reveals that practices owned by PE firms performed more colonoscopies, billed more per procedure, and saw more patients, but without statistically significant improvements in polyp detection or adverse event rates. While some argue that PE expands access and reduces inefficiencies, others warn it’s a play for pricing power without patient benefit. And regulators? Mostly powerless—for now. These deals often fly…
Navigating Medicaid is notoriously complex—and about to get tougher with new federal rules like work requirements and stricter recertifications. Millions risk losing coverage simply due to red tape. But Fortuna Health, backed again by Andreessen Horowitz, just raised $18M in Series A funding to change that. Their AI-powered platform turns a chaotic 56-program system into a single, user-friendly experience for patients—and now supports health plans covering over 25 million lives. With clients like Cedar, Highmark, and state agencies, Fortuna helps hospitals reduce uncompensated care by 53% and boosts patient retention with streamlined Medicaid renewals. The timing couldn’t be more urgent:…
MAGENTIQ EYE just raised a major Series A round led by healthtech powerhouse aMoon, signaling a bold bet on the future of AI-powered gastroenterology. Its flagship software, MAGENTIQ-COLO™, already FDA- and CE-approved, is being hailed as one of the most accurate AI tools for polyp detection during colonoscopies. But that’s just the beginning. With new features like real-time AI reports, polyp type prediction, and tools for diseases like ulcerative colitis and Barrett’s esophagus, the company isn’t just improving diagnostics—it’s redefining the gold standard for GI care. Backed by top European and American investors, and expanding rapidly across the U.S. and…
In a striking move, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services may soon dismiss the entire U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF)—a decision the American Medical Association warns could jeopardize access to life-saving screenings. The AMA has urged Secretary Robert F. Kennedy to reverse course, citing the Task Force’s essential role in crafting evidence-based recommendations for services like colon, breast, and lung cancer screenings. These recommendations directly shape insurance coverage—often determining which tests are offered at no cost to patients. Why the potential shakeup? And what would happen if the nation’s non-partisan voice on preventive care went silent?
Colorectal cancer screening is about to reach more Americans, thanks to a major expansion between Exact Sciences and Humana. Beginning August 2025, the next-gen Cologuard Plus™ test will be offered as an in-network benefit for Humana’s 5.8 million Medicare Advantage members—bringing a powerful at-home screening tool to the national stage. Cologuard Plus, launched just months ago, builds on the original Cologuard’s success with improved accuracy, new biomarkers, and a 40% reduction in false positives. That means fewer unnecessary colonoscopies—and more confidence from the comfort of home. With FDA approval, Medicare coverage, and inclusion in national guidelines, Cologuard Plus is positioning…
With new medical papers published every 30 seconds, how are doctors supposed to keep up? Enter OpenEvidence—an AI-powered tool scanning millions of peer-reviewed studies to give physicians precise, evidence-backed answers in seconds. Launched in 2022 by Harvard Ph.D. and serial founder Daniel Nadler, OpenEvidence has already signed up 40% of U.S. physicians, and it’s growing fast—adding 65,000 new users each month. Its software is free for doctors, supported by pharma-sponsored search results, and already used in 8.5 million patient consults per month. But here’s the kicker: Unlike ChatGPT, OpenEvidence is built from the ground up on high-quality medical literature (JAMA,…
Constipation may be a silent epidemic, but Vibrant Gastro is giving it a voice—and a solution. Winner of the 2025 TAG MedTech Top Innovator Award, the company’s FDA-cleared vibrating capsule offers a drug-free way to restore natural bowel rhythms, using gentle, algorithm-driven pulses inside the gut. Activated at bedtime, the capsule targets the colon’s mechanoreceptors to nudge peristalsis—without chemicals or harsh side effects. With six clinical trials and over 800 patients behind it, Vibrant has shown impressive results: minimal side effects and real-life relief for patients often failed by traditional laxatives.
A Pill That Talks to Your Gut—and Listens Back In a breakthrough merging synthetic biology, optoelectronics, and smartphone tech, scientists have developed an ingestible capsule that enables real-time, two-way communication with engineered gut microbes. Published in Nature Microbiology, the study showcases how modified E. coli can detect inflammation, send out bioluminescent distress signals, and—in response to smartphone-triggered light pulses—release therapeutic nanobodies to treat disease… all inside the body. Tested in pigs with colitis, this system not only diagnosed gut inflammation by detecting nitric oxide but also delivered anti-inflammatory treatment on command, without invasive procedures. Is this the future of personalized…