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?
Author: Abhay Panchal
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…
A new population-level study published in Clinical Gastroenterology and Hepatology reveals something unsettling: disorders of gut-brain interaction (DGBIs) like IBS and functional dyspepsia have surged post-pandemic. Compared to pre-COVID rates, IBS jumped by 28%, and functional dyspepsia spiked nearly 44%. But here’s the twist—individuals with long COVID aren’t just more likely to suffer from these GI disorders. They’re also grappling with worse mental health and lower quality of life, suggesting that COVID-19 may be reshaping the gut-brain axis in ways we’re only beginning to understand. Are we prepared for this new wave of post-viral GI and mental health complications?
In a breakthrough that could transform cancer care, Guardant Health’s new study—RADIOHEAD—suggests that its tissue-free, blood-based test, Guardant Reveal, can detect whether immunotherapy is working months before conventional scans show results. In some cases, it spotted non-responders five months earlier than current standards. Partnering with the Parker Institute for Cancer Immunotherapy, this study spanned over 500 patients across multiple tumor types. The results? A significant reduction in tumor DNA in the blood predicted better outcomes and lower progression risks—without the need for repeated biopsies or delays in decision-making. Is this the future of precision oncology? And what does this mean…
On the surface, the numbers look steady—$12.5 billion in 2024 rising to $13.1 billion by 2035 at a 4.8% CAGR. But behind the modest growth lies a market in flux. Immunotherapies like pembrolizumab and nivolumab are gaining traction. AI is quietly redefining diagnostics. Non-invasive tools like liquid biopsies and multi-cancer early detection tests are entering the mainstream. And targeted therapies are starting to outpace traditional chemotherapy. Meanwhile, emerging biotech players and pharma giants are racing to dominate niches—from adenocarcinoma subtypes to metastatic colorectal cancer. With rising disease incidence, lifestyle-linked risk factors, and global disparities in access, the market is teetering…
GLP-1 receptor agonists like semaglutide have transformed obesity care, offering dramatic weight loss and improved cardiometabolic outcomes. But according to JAMA Internal Medicine and Medscape, many physicians may be underutilizing their full clinical potential—or worse, putting patients at risk. This expert-backed guide outlines five common pitfalls doctors are making today: failing to monitor weight loss effectively, overlooking muscle mass preservation (up to 40% of weight loss may be muscle!), missing micronutrient deficiencies, ignoring the long-term relapse risk, and under-managing side effects like nausea or constipation. The piece also dives into practical strategies: how to assess treatment response, when to switch…
In a growing wave of cyberattacks targeting healthcare, three providers—Texas Digestive Specialists (Gastroenterology Consultants of South Texas), Infinite Services (New York), and High Point Treatment Center (Massachusetts)—have been struck by ransomware, with Interlock and Abyss groups claiming responsibility for two of the breaches. 🔒 Texas Digestive Specialists A May 2025 ransomware attack exposed the personal and medical data of 41,521 Texans, including names, addresses, medical records, and insurance information. The Interlock group, already on the FBI/CISA radar, claims to have stolen 263 GB of data now leaked on the dark web. The practice is enhancing its cybersecurity systems and offering…