Cancer related studies were among nearly 6,000 abstracts presented at Digestive Disease Week® (DDW) 2025, including research on AI in patient communication, polyp detection, and colonoscopy prep.
Oncologists Prefer AI Responses to GI Cancer Questions Over Physicians'
SAN DIEGO — Artificial intelligence outperformed physicians in answering gastrointestinal cancer questions, with oncologists preferring ChatGPT's responses nearly 80% of the time, according to a study presented at Digestive Disease Week (DDW) ® 2025.
Researchers analyzed 15 real patient questions posted to Reddit's AskDocs forum and had 12 board-certified oncologists evaluate the responses from both ChatGPT and verified physicians for quality, empathy, and readability.
The AI-generated answers were rated significantly higher in quality (80% vs. 35%) and empathy (82% vs. 18%), though they were judged more difficult to read based on the Flesch Reading Ease Score. The findings highlight the potential for large-language models to support patient communication.
Abstract 149: AI or doctors? Comparing responses to cancer patients' inquiries from a public social media forum. Saturday, May 3, 10:06 – 10:12 a.m. PDT
Fewer Patients Get Surgery for Benign Colon Polyps as Endoscopic Techniques Rise
SAN DIEGO, CA — More patients with non-cancerous colorectal polyps are avoiding surgery thanks to the growing use of endoscopic removal techniques, according to a large U.S. study presented at Digestive Disease Week® 2025.
Researchers analyzed data from more than 1 million patients who had polyps detected during colonoscopy between 2015 and 2023, comparing rates of endoscopic versus surgical removal and associated outcomes. They found that the rate of endoscopic resection nearly tripled—rising from 0.26% to 0.67%—while surgical removal declined from 0.45% to 0.35%.
The shift not only reduced the need for invasive surgery but also led to fewer serious complications and a significantly lower 30-day mortality rate.
Abstract 375: Declining rates of surgery for non-malignant colorectal polyps in the United States over the last decade: A real-world analysis of over 1 million patients Sunday, May 4, 9:02 – 9:09 a.m. PDT
The Long-Standing Instruction to Fast Before Colonoscopy May Not Be Needed
SAN DIEGO — A low-fiber meal just two hours before starting colonoscopy prep may be safe after all, according to a new randomized controlled trial present at Digestive Disease Week® (DDW) 2025. Researchers found that allowing patients to eat before bowel cleansing did not reduce the effectiveness of preparation or negatively impact their experience.
In the study of 525 patients using a split-dose polyethylene glycol regimen, 81.4% of those who ate achieved optimal bowel cleansing—nearly identical to the 83.6% in the fasting control group. Patient comfort and tolerance were also comparable, suggesting greater flexibility in pre-colonoscopy dietary guidelines could be on the horizon.
Abstract Mo1192: To dine or not to dine: The effect of a day-before low-fiber dinner on bowel cleansing prior to colonoscopy (DINNER1006 trial) Monday, May 5, 12:30 – 1:30 p.m. PDT
