News from 72nd Annual Scientific Meeting, Philadelphia, PA

2008 Media Statements

Dr. Foxx-Orenstein's Response to Las Vegas Hepatitis C Infections - Feb. 28, 2008

Digestive Health Specialists Applaud CEO's Efforts to Fight Obesity & Overweight

2008 Press Releases

Updated Treatment Guidelines for Barrett’s Esophagus Offer Important New Recommendations for Challenging Clinical Controversies

March 5, 2008 - New Guidelines Update Recommendations on Colorectal Cancer Screening
   Click here to view the full text fo the MSTFCRC Guideline.

U.S. Cancer Deaths Down but Far Too Few Americans Screened for Colon Cancer

2007 Press Releases from ACG 72nd Annual Scientific Meeting

Obesity Strongest Risk Factor for Colorectal Cancer Among Women
A study of women's risk of colorectal cancer found obesity is the strongest risk factor for colorectal neoplasia, an even stronger association than smoking. Of the patients who had colorectal neoplasia, 20 percent were obese and 14 percent were smokers.

Consumption of Raw Fish Raises Potential Health Concerns for Consumers Two case studies from Japan point to a potential health problem as more Americans consume raw fish in the form of sushi. Anisakiasis is a parasitic infection caused by the consumption of raw or undercooked seafood containing Anisakis larvae. The ingested larvae can lead to cramping, diarrhea, vomiting and small bowel obstruction warranting a trip to the emergency room.

Impairment from Chronic Digestive Problems Amounts to One Lost Day Per Week Those who suffer from common functional gastrointestinal disorders face work productivity losses and impairments in daily activity that amount to the loss of at least one day of work in a 40-hr workweek.

Nighttime Acid Reflux Can Impact Sleep
Nighttime acid reflux, along with some of the less typical manifestations or symptoms of GERD, is associated with significant sleep impairment.

Gastric Bypass Surgery May Cause Post-Op Nutrient Deficiencies
Small intestinal bacterial overgrowth can emerge after gastric bypass surgery, which can impact the absorption of vitamins, minerals and micronutrients, such as calcium and zinc, causing potentially serious complications.

Use of Common, But Potentially Dangerous, Pain Medicines Underreported New studies highlight the risks and significant health care costs of GI injury and bleeding from the use of NSAIDs. According to a survey conducted at Eastern Virginia Medical School, 22 percent of respondents did not think NSAIDs were important to mention to their doctor, revealing a common misperception about these over-the-counter remedies.

Mesalamine Linked to Cancer Protection for High Risk IBD Patients Mesalamine use among patients with inflammatory bowel disease was associated with a decrease in incidence of colorectal cancer when comparing cases and controls. Patients with IBD are at significantly higher than average risk for colorectal cancer and should be screened more frequently, but another study revealed many don't get recommended tests.

GERD Can Masquerade as Persistent Cough or even Severe Chest Pain Acid reflux into the esophagus can present as other symptoms such as chronic cough or chest pain. Two new studies highlight the little known connection between acid reflux and seemingly unrelated problems.

Racial & Ethnic Differences in CRC Incidence Emphasize Importance of Screening
Minorities are at increased risk for colorectal cancer than Caucasians, but less likely to undergo life-saving screening tests. More African Americans had proximal advanced polyps than Caucasians, and when compared to Latin Americans, both shared similar colonoscopy findings.

Colorectal Cancer Screening Remains Essential for Elderly Adults
Two new studies support continued colorectal cancer screening among elderly Americans.
While colorectal adenomas were detected more frequently in adults 80 and older, screening colonoscopy improved survival in the elderly by detecting colon cancer at earlier stages.

First Colonoscopy with Removal of Polyps Linked to Reduction in Colon Cancer Death
Using a model from the National Polyp Study data, researchers found a dramatic reduction in expected colorectal cancer deaths with screening colonoscopy that cleared the colon of pre-cancerous polyps-whether or not there were follow-up exams-suggesting the initial screening with "polypectomy" may account for mortality reduction.

Amy E. Foxx-Orenstein, DO, FACG Elected ACG President

ACG Announces Generous Gift by Procter & Gamble

2007 Press Releases

American College of Gastroenterology Offers Tips to Ease the Heartburn of Pregnancy

American College of Gastroenterology Offers Updated Clinical Guidance for Managing Pregnant Patients

Oprah and Dr. Oz Highlight Lifesaving Potential of Colon Cancer Screening

Despite Advances in the Accuracy of CT Colonography in Detecting Polyps,
Digestive Health Experts Urge Patients to Consider Risks and Realities

Frequently Asked Questions When Considering a Colorectal Cancer Screening Test

Medicare Agency Jeopardizes Access to Cost-Effective Care, Potentially Threatens Health of U.S. Seniors by Limiting Life-Saving Colorectal Cancer Screening
Gastroenterologists Predict CMS “Death Blow” to Ambulatory Surgery Centers

2006 Press Releases from ACG 71st Annual Scientific Meeting

Gender and Family Size Influences IBS Symptoms in Children
Illness behavior, specifically complaints of recurrent abdominal pain, in girls with mothers who have Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) may be intensified in smaller families, where children have more one-on-one contact with their mothers. (link to maternal IBS on Child Gastrointestinal symptoms)

Re-Screening for Colorectal Cancer after Initial “All Clear”
Patients run a very low risk of having colon cancer five years after a screening colonoscopy that detected no precancerous growths or polyps. The study supports current ten-year screening interval for colonoscopy recommendations from the American College of Gastroenterology.

Medical Compliance in IBD Patients Advances Cost-Savings
Patients who consistently take medications for inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) incur 50 percent lower total health care costs than those who fail to refill prescriptions or follow physician instructions to switch drugs.

Cannabis Chemicals May Alleviate Post-Eating Stomach Cramps
A chemical component extracted from the cannabis, or marijuana, plant may relax the colon and reduce stomach cramping after eating.

14-Year Decline in Colon Cancer Due to Increased Screening
Increased colorectal screening has reduced the incidence of colorectal cancer according to a new study. The decline in colorectal cancer cases from 1988 to 2002 coincides with improvements in, and the increased use of, tests such as the fecal occult blood test, the flexible sigmoidoscopy and the colonoscopy.

Tiny Video Capsule Shows Promise in Colonoscopy Screening
Capsule colonoscopy, in which patients swallow a small video capsule that then examines the colon for polyps, could be a promising new tool for colon cancer screening.

Education Triples Colon Cancer Screening Rates Among Latinos
Community education, including physician referrals and attention to cultural settings, tripled the number of colonoscopies performed among a predominantly Latino inner-city population.

New Study Links Bad Breath to Heartburn, GERD
Study links bad breath or halitosis to GERD, bacterial overgrowth could be a culprit. 

The Impact of IBD on Women's Personal, Professional Lives
Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) has a negative impact upon patients’ educational, professional, and personal lives.  IBD causes long-term inflammation of the intestines and affects more than 600,000 Americans each year. Common forms of IBD include Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis.

Some Prescriptions Can Lead to Chronic Drug-Induced Liver Injury
A new consortium study found higher rates of chronic drug-induced liver injury (DILI) resulting from the common prescription medications known as antimicrobials and anticonvulsants. A surprising 23 percent of patients showed evidence of a chronic condition six months after their enrollment in a new study measuring DILI.

75% of College Students Report Risk Factors for Hepatitis C
College undergraduates in the United States do not recognize the magnitude of their risk behaviors for contracting Hepatitis C, a chronic viral liver disease, according to a survey conducted at a large midwestern university. Researchers found that 75 percent of undergraduates in this study had a potential Hepatitis C risk factor, from tattoos to sharing body jewelry.

New study: Drinking Red Wine Cuts Risk of Colorectal Cancer
The consumption of more than three glasses of red wine a week reduced the risk for significant colorectal neoplasia (SCRN), or colon cancer. Researchers suspect the high content of the compound resveratrol in red wine plays a key role. Resveratrol is an anti-fungal chemical that occurs naturally under the skin of red wine grapes.

New, Minimally-Invasive Surgery for the Morbidly Obese
New studies demonstrated that transoral endoscopic surgical techniques – entering the abdomen through oral cavities such as the nose and mouth – can be successful in both bovine and human patients. Further, patients who underwent endoscopic-guided transoral gastroplasty for morbid obesity showed signs of initial weight loss.

Dr. David A. Johnson Elected ACG President

2005 Press Releases

The Stomach, a Better Lie Detector?
A new study suggests that changes in gastric physiology perform better than standard polygraph methods in distinguishing between lying and telling the truth.

Impact of Race and Age in Colorectal Cancer Risk
Two new studies show that young African Americans are at a much higher risk for colon cancer than other races. One study found that African Americans are diagnosed with colorectal cancer at a younger age than whites, while the other found younger blacks are more likely to have pre-cancerous polyps that younger whites or Hispanics.

Probiotics in Irritable Bowel Syndrome
A new study of the probiotic strain B. infantis 35624 shows promising results in normalizing frequency of bowel movements in patients suffering from constipation or diarrhea - the two ends of the spectrum in Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS).

Possible Dangers of Over-The-Counter Pain Medicines
Patients who combine the common over-the counter pain medications ibuprofen and naproxen with aspirin have a risk of gastrointestinal complications including ulcers, perforations and bleeding that is two to three times greater than patients who take these medications but do not combine them with aspirin.

Pedialyte® vs. Gatorade® in Kids with "Stomach Flu"
In a trial of oral rehydration solutions, Gatorade® proved as effective as Pedialyte® in correcting dehydration and improving bowel symptoms for children with diarrhea and vomiting related to acute viral gastroenteritis.

Nighttime Heartburn's Role in Sleep Problems
New research on acid reflux shows: 1. Patients with sleep complaints but no heartburn symptoms suffered episodes of nighttime acid reflux; 2. Symptoms of gastroesophageal reflux are common and frequently severe in patients with obstructive sleep apnea.

Study of Patient Knowledge, Attitudes in IBS
Significant misconceptions about the causes of their condition and mistaken beliefs about its potential progression into other diseases, including cancer, marks the knowledge of a sample of patients with Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS).

Women More Vulnerable to Risk of Colorectal Cancer from Tobacco
A new study of gender and risk factors for colorectal cancer reveals that while both tobacco and alcohol increase risk for colorectal cancer, women who smoke are at higher risk.

Diabetes & Risk of Colorectal Cancer
A new study released at the Annual Scientific Meeting of the American College of Gastroenterology confirms that patients with diabetes are significantly more likely to have colon cancer than individuals without diabetes.

Affect of Birth Order on Parental Solicitousness in Moms with IBS
New research presented at the 70th Annual Scientific Meeting of the American College of Gastroenterology suggests that birth order impacts child perceptions of maternal solicitousness toward GI symptoms, particularly in families where the mother has Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS).

Improvement in Work Attendance, Productivity With IBS Treatment
A new study shows that treating Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) with constipation may have a significant impact on absenteeism from work, as well as improving presenteeism - defined as coming to work but being less productive. IBS is second only to the common cold as the leading cause of work absenteeism.

Jack A. DiPalma, M.D., FACG of Mobile, AL Elected ACG President
Embargoed until October 31, 2005. The current 2004-2005 ACG President is John W. Popp, Jr., M.D., FACG of Columbia, SC.

Nighttime Heartburn’s Impact on Workplace Productivity Costs the Nation More Than $1.9 Billion Each Week

American College of Gastroenterology Announces 2005 Junior Faculty Development Grant Award Recipient

New Recommendations by the American College of Gastroenterology Call for Changes in Colorectal Cancer Screening of African Americans

Corporate Support Grows for ACG’s Advancing Excellence Campaign

American College of Gastroenterology Fears Fraudulent Medical Procedures in California Could Create Troubling Questions for Patients with Legitimate Need for Screening Tests