Fresh from ACG 2025, Dr. David Johnson spotlights four studies poised to reshape GI practice — from colonoscopy quality to breakthroughs in liver and pelvic floor disorders. One standout analysis linked higher sessile serrated lesion detection rates (SSLDR) to up to 80% lower post-colonoscopy cancer risk, pushing benchmarks beyond the current 6% target. Yet, another nationwide registry revealed major noncompliance with bowel prep guidelines, with over half of patients never returning after inadequate preparation — a “9-1-1 call” for improving colonoscopy follow-up. Beyond colon cancer, translumbosacral neuromodulation therapy showed dramatic reductions in fecal incontinence episodes, hinting at nerve regeneration potential.…
Author: Abhay Panchal
Obesity now intersects with nearly every GI condition—from MAFLD-driven cirrhosis and increased cancer risk to tougher IBD surgeries and lower screening uptake. Dr. Kelly lays out a practical, stigma-free framework for making weight care core to GI practice: start with a thoughtful weight history (sleep, meds, disordered eating, OSA risk), use patient-first language, and assess adiposity beyond BMI (with lower cutoffs for Asian patients).
Exact Sciences just took a major step toward expanding its leadership in colorectal cancer screening. The company announced that the Hart-Scott-Rodino (HSR) antitrust waiting period has expired for its exclusive U.S. licensing deal with Freenome, giving it the rights to Freenome’s blood-based colorectal cancer (CRC) screening tests. The exclusivity, however, hinges on FDA first-line approval of Freenome’s test. This partnership strengthens Exact Sciences’ multi-modality approach — complementing Cologuard®’s stool-based test with a blood-based option aimed at improving patient uptake and screening accessibility. Following the deal’s completion, Exact updated its 2025 guidance to reflect a $75 million initial cash payment, reducing…
AI is quietly reshaping medicine — from clinic rooms to hospital boardrooms — but not all doctors are on board. In Business Insider’s deep dive, physicians across the US shared how they’re experimenting with tools like ChatGPT, from generating referral letters to testing AI-powered note-taking. Some, like Harvard’s Dr. Adam Rodman, even use ChatGPT in live patient conversations, while others—like Mayo Clinic’s Dr. Francisco Lopez-Jimenez—see cardiology leading the AI charge. Yet trust remains split. Nearly half of clinicians now use AI, but skepticism runs deep amid concerns over accuracy, ethics, and “shiny object syndrome.”
Even among top-tier gastroenterologists, how to best manage Barrett esophagus remains unsettled. A new Mayo Clinic–led survey of BE experts revealed striking inconsistencies — nearly half (47%) never offer ablation for nondysplastic Barrett’s, while 44% question biopsy diagnoses made by community gastroenterologists. Despite updated guidelines, opinions diverged on everything from when to use radiofrequency ablation to how aggressively to surveil or treat reflux after surgery. While most agreed on ablation for low-grade dysplasia, many differed on diagnostic tools like WATS-3D and long-term proton pump inhibitor use. The findings highlight a widening gap between evidence-based recommendations and real-world practice — even…
October marked a breakthrough month for gastroenterology — one defined by fresh FDA approvals, promising IBD trial data, and pivotal updates from ACG 2025. Upadacitinib (Rinvoq) can now be prescribed earlier in the IBD treatment sequence when TNF blockers aren’t suitable, expanding therapeutic flexibility for patients. Meanwhile, mirikizumab (Omvoh) gained approval for a simplified single-dose monthly regimen in ulcerative colitis, with new four-year data from the LUCENT-3 study showing durable benefit even among patients who failed prior biologics. Beyond IBD, the American College of Physicians issued new guidance on colorectal cancer screening performance measures, and ACG 2025 sessions spotlighted persistent…
Clinicians are increasingly stepping beyond the bedside to shape healthcare at scale—and this in-depth guide shows exactly how. Drawing from interviews with leaders at Curology, K Health, Doximity, and Oshi Health, the piece maps out four proven paths for clinicians moving into non-direct care roles: evolving within startups, shifting into care-adjacent roles, advising digital health companies, or upskilling into business and product functions. The author underscores how clinical skills—decision-making under uncertainty, empathy, and systems thinking—translate powerfully into strategy, operations, and leadership. Real-world stories reveal how clinicians have navigated transitions, reframed their experience in business terms, and overcome industry biases. More…
A new study has intensified scrutiny of UnitedHealth Group’s vertical integration strategy, alleging that UnitedHealthcare pays its sister company, Optum, 17% more than non-Optum providers — and as much as 61% more in markets where UnitedHealthcare holds major market share. Researchers from Brown University and UC Berkeley say the findings suggest UnitedHealth may be circumventing federal “medical loss ratio” (MLR) rules, which require insurers to spend most premium dollars on patient care rather than profit. By paying its own providers through Optum, the study argues, UnitedHealth can effectively recycle premiums internally, reporting them as care expenses while boosting corporate revenue.…
The American Gastroenterological Association (AGA) and Chicago-based innovation hub MATTER have launched the inaugural AGA Incubator: Improving GI Care, the first program dedicated to advancing innovation in digestive disease care. Over the next six months, 11 pioneering startups will receive custom mentorship, industry connections, and growth support, culminating with presentations at Digestive Disease Week (DDW) 2026 in Chicago. The selected cohort reflects the breadth of innovation transforming gastroenterology — from AI-driven diagnostics and fibrosis therapies to biofeedback devices and next-generation wearables.
A new round of data breaches has struck multiple healthcare entities — from specialty clinics to a national RCM firm — underscoring the industry’s ongoing cybersecurity challenges. Pittsburgh Gastroenterology Associates suffered an August ransomware attack by the Sinobi group, resulting in the theft of 198 GB of data containing patient demographics and treatment details. The clinic has since tightened its security protocols. In Maine, NAHGA Claims Services — a national third-party claims administrator — reported unauthorized network access in April 2025 that may have compromised sensitive client data. The company is offering credit monitoring and identity theft protection to affected…