A new modeling study published in JAMA Network Open suggests that offering $100 rideshare rides to patients with abnormal fecal immunochemical test (FIT) results nearly doubles colonoscopy completion rates, cutting colorectal cancer (CRC) deaths and saving healthcare costs. By raising completion from 35% to 70%, the intervention reduced CRC incidence by 26%, deaths by 33%, and saved over $330,000 per 1,000 people screened—making rideshare support not only effective but cost-saving. Researchers note real-world trials are still needed to validate these findings.
Author: Abhay Panchal
The surge in GLP-1 prescriptions is transforming obesity and liver disease care but raising new challenges for gastroenterology. Physicians weigh in with concerns over mounting GI side effects — from slowed motility and difficult colonoscopy prep to gallstones and pancreatitis — while long-term risks like nutritional deficiencies or thyroid cancer remain uncertain. Some highlight compounded versions causing severe reactions, while others note GLP-1’s potential in treating MASLD and reducing liver cancer risk. The consensus: these drugs are a breakthrough, but their widespread use demands vigilance, tailored care, and close monitoring.
A JAMA Oncology study of over 86,000 patients found that GLP-1 users had reduced overall cancer risk, with particularly lower rates of endometrial, ovarian, and meningioma cancers. Researchers also noted a possible rise in kidney cancer risk, leaving open the question of whether the benefit comes from the drug itself or the weight loss it triggers. Long-term follow-up is needed to understand the full impact.
It’s been a turbulent week in U.S. healthcare policy: the House dropped Trump’s proposed $18B NIH cut but slashed HHS and CDC budgets; Florida moved to eliminate all vaccine mandates; the Trump administration agreed to restore health information pages removed earlier this year; over 1,000 HHS staff demanded Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s resignation; and CMS unveiled a $50B Rural Health Transformation Program. With so many shifts colliding at once, the big question is—how will these changes reshape care access and costs in the years ahead?
A ransomware group called Sinobi has claimed responsibility for a cyberattack on Pittsburgh Gastroenterology Associates, raising alarms over potential exposure of sensitive patient data ranging from Social Security numbers to medical records. While full details of what was stolen remain unclear, the breach could impact thousands of patients across multiple affiliated hospitals. With lawsuits already under investigation, the real question is: will this case become a turning point in how GI practices protect against rising cyber threats?
From symptom trackers to multidisciplinary app-based platforms, evidence-based digital therapeutics are expanding access to brain-gut behavioral care for patients with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Dr. Peter Buch sits down with Dr. Iris Wang to discuss the spectrum of available tools and explore strategies for aligning them with individual patient needs. Dr. Wang is an Associate Professor of Medicine and the Associate Program Director of the Gastroenterology Fellowship at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota.
Can personalized risk messages really motivate people to get screened for colon cancer? A large randomized trial across 41 primary care clinics suggests not. Patients who received tailored risk scores were no more likely to complete screening than those given generic reminders—and in some cases, were less likely to undergo colonoscopy, especially if told their risk was low. Yet, the twist came at one health system where stool test uptake did increase with personalized messaging. The findings raise a provocative question: could emphasizing non-invasive stool testing over colonoscopy be the future of personalized screening strategies?
Colorectal cancer remains one of the deadliest cancers worldwide, partly because colonoscopies—though highly accurate—are costly and invasive, leading many to delay screening. Now, researchers at the University of Geneva have developed a machine learning model that analyzes gut bacteria at the subspecies level, achieving a striking 90% accuracy in detecting colorectal cancer from simple stool samples. That’s nearly on par with colonoscopy and better than any other non-invasive method to date. With clinical trials underway, could a low-cost stool test soon reshape how we screen not just for colorectal cancer, but potentially many other diseases linked to the microbiome?
At the 2025 FOOD the Main Course conference in Ann Arbor, experts including Dr. William Chey, Kate Scarlata, and Amanda Lynett joined Tuesday Night IBS hosts for a live crossover podcast. The discussion explored how diet influences the microbiome, the importance of collaborative peer-to-peer learning, and the growing integration of dietitians in GI care. Topics included stress–diet connections in IBS, rising constipation rates, colectomy decision-making, and the impact of GLP-1 therapies on gut health. Speakers emphasized filtering online misinformation and fostering a supportive community for patients and providers alike.
A new study of 1,000+ hospital acquisitions over 19 years challenges the common belief that private equity harms hospitals: PE-owned hospitals were no more likely to close, maintained quality of care, and restored staffing levels for clinicians after initial cuts. The biggest, lasting change was a 20–30% reduction in administrative staff and wages, especially in nonprofits, while clinical wages held steady. Patient outcomes (mortality, readmissions) did not worsen, though colonoscopy prices rose nearly 30% due to ACA’s zero cost-sharing policy. Researchers argue PE often rescues struggling hospitals by improving efficiency, exploiting policy loopholes, and boosting marketability—potentially benefiting taxpayers and patients…