Although the Affordable Care Act (ACA) mandates no-cost coverage for colorectal cancer (CRC) screenings—including required bowel preparation—more than half of patients with commercial insurance and 83% of Medicare beneficiaries are still paying out-of-pocket, a new analysis shows.1 The findings from this cross-sectional analysis are published in Gastroenterology.
Author: Rutali Thakur
Surgery Partners has turned down Bain Capital’s $25.75/share offer to take the company private, citing better value in staying independent. Bain, the largest shareholder with ~39% stake, has yet to respond. The stock dropped 13% following the announcement. Despite previous interest from TPG and UnitedHealth, the board reaffirmed its 2025 revenue forecast of $3.3B–$3.45B and plans to present its long-term strategy later this year.
In a transformative move, Ascension announced it will acquire AMSURG, adding over 250 ambulatory surgery centers (ASCs) across 34 states to its network. The acquisition significantly boosts Ascension’s outpatient capabilities in gastroenterology, ophthalmology, orthopedics, and more. “This isn’t just an acquisition—it’s a deep alignment with our mission to deliver compassionate, accessible care,” said Joe Impicciche, CEO, Ascension. AMSURG, known for its physician-led joint ventures, brings decades of operational expertise and strong outcomes in outpatient care. The deal positions Ascension to lead the shift from inpatient to community-based care while supporting independent physician groups and health systems.
Despite being the gold standard for colorectal cancer screening, colonoscopy effectiveness is often compromised by one critical issue: inadequate bowel preparation. In up to 35% of cases, poor prep leads to missed polyps, incomplete exams, and increased repeat procedures. A new supplement led by GI experts Dr. David Johnson, Dr. Philip Schoenfeld, and Dr. Jack Di Palma revisits updated 2024/2025 ACG®/ASGE® guidelines, advocating for a minimum 90% adequacy rate. The paper outlines the latest metrics, risk impacts of poor prep, and how FDA-approved regimens like SUFLAVE™ and SUTAB® are helping overcome patient hesitancy and improve outcomes. “Even a ‘fair’ bowel…
Freenome just published pivotal trial results for its blood-based colorectal cancer (CRC) screening test in JAMA. With 79.2% sensitivity for CRC and 91.5% specificity, the test hit its primary endpoint—but struggled with precancerous lesions, showing just 12.5% sensitivity for advanced adenomas. That’s well below Exact Sciences’ 43% with Cologuard Plus. While Freenome eyes FDA approval in 2025, the real battle may hinge on the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force’s judgment—and whether better versions can boost detection before cancer starts.
A rising tide of evidence suggests that complementary and mind-body therapies may be quietly transforming how we treat gastrointestinal (GI) disorders. With nearly half of GI patients turning to CAM—often without telling their doctors—mainstream gastroenterology is playing catch-up. From acupuncture and probiotics to hypnotherapy and cognitive-behavioral therapy, interventions once labeled “alternative” are now gaining clinical legitimacy. Doctors like Gerard Mullin and David Hass are leading a shift toward integrative GI care, driven by rising digestive disease rates, patient demand, and surprising clinical results.
Guardant Health just unveiled nearly a dozen new capabilities for its Guardant360® Liquid blood test—turning a routine draw into a powerful tool for cancer profiling. Using AI and multiomic analysis, the test can now determine tumor origin, subtype, and even drug compatibility—all without needing tissue. For colorectal cancer, the test can confirm the absence of actionable mutations, helping doctors skip additional tests and begin treatment faster. It also identifies key biomarkers, including those tied to HPV and EBV, and assesses pharmacogenomic safety for common therapies.
Screening for colorectal cancer just got radically easier. New Day Diagnostics has launched ColoHealth™, a first-of-its-kind blood test available direct-to-consumer—no bowel prep, no anesthesia, no day off work. It’s already turning heads with one powerful stat: over 99% of people who previously avoided traditional screening went through with this test. With a sensitivity of 73.3% and a negative predictive value of 99.8%, ColoHealth™ doesn’t just offer convenience—it delivers clinical credibility. It detects nearly twice as many precancers as earlier blood-based options, offering a critical window for early intervention.
Biomerica (NASDAQ: BMRA) reported significant real-world data for its inFoods® IBS diagnostic-guided therapy, showing remarkable symptom reduction in IBS patients. Data from over 360 patients demonstrated a 48.5% reduction in gastrointestinal pain and a 49.8% reduction in bloating over an 8-week period. The company also launched a HIPAA-compliant real-time patient feedback system that enables physicians to track symptoms and adjust treatment plans accordingly. These results complement a peer-reviewed study published in Gastroenterology, which showed that patients on an inFoods® IBS-guided diet experienced significantly more abdominal pain relief compared to placebo (59.6% vs. 42.1%, p-value=0.02).
PALO ALTO, Calif.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Guardant Health, Inc. (Nasdaq: GH), a leading precision oncology company, today announced the launch of the Guardant Hereditary Cancer test, a germline test that identifies genetic variants associated with cancer risk to help cancer care teams provide optimal patient care. Germline genetic testing is recommended by medical practice guidelines for patients diagnosed with cancer to enable genetically targeted treatment and identify relatives who may benefit from personalized cancer screening and prevention.1 The testing analyzes inherited genetic variants, typically present in all the cells of the body, that may predispose an individual to certain risks or diagnoses, including hereditary…