Panelists discuss the critical role health care providers play in raising awareness about alopecia, emphasizing strategies for effectively informing patients about the importance of early diagnosis and available treatment options.

The Role of Health Care Providers in Raising Awareness About Alopecia Areata

Video content above is prompted by the following:

Increased awareness about alopecia may lead to earlier diagnosis and more effective treatment options. What role do health care providers play in raising awareness about alopecia?

How can health care providers effectively inform patients about importance of early treatment and treatment options?

Healthcare providers play a crucial role in raising awareness about alopecia by educating patients on the condition's early signs and potential treatment options. They can effectively inform patients by integrating discussions about alopecia into routine check-ups, utilizing educational materials, and leveraging digital platforms to reach a broader audience. Providers should emphasize the importance of early diagnosis and intervention, which can lead to more effective management of the condition. By fostering open communication and providing comprehensive information, healthcare professionals can empower patients to seek timely treatment and improve outcomes.

Amy McMichael, MD

Expert hepatologists discuss future developments in HCV.

The Future and Resources in HCV Care

 Mark, are you looking into the future? Are you excited about anything in whether treatment of hep[atitis][hepatitis] C or management of hep[atitis][hepatitis] C? Is there anything down the line that's got you excited?

Certainly, it's a very exciting time. I mean, we've got opportunity in front of us to really for the first time eliminate hep[atitis][hepatitis] C's[in] public health. We can't lose sight of that. I think it's easy to lose sight of that as we struggle with some of the barriers that we've talked about today. So, what do we need to do? Some of you've heard here, we need to increase access to medications. And although tThese medications are highly cost effective, if not [a form of] cost savings, in a relatively short period of time, meaning society will spend less money over a brief period, say five 5 years, if we treat everyone. Despite that, there's there are still barriers to accessing medication. So, tThe first thing we're excited about is removing those barriers. Nancy mentioned and prior authorization forms. I'm working on one now that's 37 patient pages long. Six months we've been back and forth. I'll leave that where it is because there’s not much more I can say. But [the important point is] ensuring we have access. And tThen to pick up on people'sTipu’s point, it's bringing the medications to the patient. And tThere we really need point-of-care testing. So, the second thing I'm excited about is point-of-care PCR [polymerase chain reaction] testing, or antigen testing is another possibility. We mentioned the antibody shows that your immune system has seen hep[atitis][hepatitis] C, but when you cure someone, they remain antibody-positive. So, it [the testing] becomes less effective as we cure more people.. So gGo into a community,[and do] a point-of-care test, a rapid result that shows they're actively affected. Then you've got access. So, yYou reach into the backpack, pull out the medication, hand them a medication, follow that minimal mileage to actually get their phone number, although I'll make another plug for using social media like WhatsApp because they can lose their phone, but they’ll still have the same access. So tThat's the second thing, is point of care. And you say, well, what about people with bad livers? Well, bBring a mobile elastography or fiber scan machine. And iIf your their score is low, you they don't have liver failure. So, point of care. The third thing I'm excited about is actually the potential to develop long-acting therapies. And iIn the HIV space that I've alluded to a couple of times, they now have medications that can be given at that last eight 8weeks. Huh, eight 8 weeks. Well, iIf we had a hep[atitis][hepatitis] C medication that sustained in the liver for eight 8 weeks after a single injection, that would be a one-shot cure. And tThat is being worked on as we speak., Sso, it's not without the realm of possibility. And give me one more.: It's vaccine. And wWe've talked a lot about trying to treat our way out of the hep[atitis][hepatitis] C epidemic, but this is an incredibly transmissible pathogen. We saw that with healthcare–worker needle sticks. We see that with populations and networks of people who inject drugs,. [It’s]incredibly transmissible. So yYes, we should be treating everybody and taking the path of treatment prevention, but vaccine is essential. And tThere's now a lot of excitement around vaccine development and what's called human challenge studies. That's where you take a volunteer with the appropriate informed consent, you intentionally give them hepatitis C, and vaccinate some and see if the vaccine can clear the infection. And then oOf course, you've got treatment to rescuethem,…those who don't clear. It sounds a bit crazy, but they do this with malaria, they do this with dengue, they do this with shigella, diarrhea, and they did this with COVID-19, intentionally affecting [infecting] people. And wWhy would you do that? Because it allows you to test vaccine candidates very quickly. If they don't work, move on. So tThose are the things I'm excited about as we work our way to 2030. It's only seven 7years away, so we've got a lot of work to do.

 So sSome exciting things [are] on the horizon potentially. For some of our viewers who might not be aware, iIt's really an exciting time around Hep[atitis][hepatitis] C. We have a relatively newly announced federal elimination plan that has been brought forward. This is something that's obviously very fluid and dynamic, but it's in development. . [There are] [It has] the three 3 key components,: iIt would fast track point-of-care tests like Mark has described. It would open access to medications, hopefully eliminating a lot of the barriers that we've discussed. And it would also provide funding for the infrastructure needed to actually carry this work out. So sStay tuned for all of this, there is a lot that'’s happening. We'’ve covered a lot of ground. Nancy, if providers, if viewers [patients] are looking for more information, do you have any go-to sites that they can access to get more infoit?

Well, aAbsolutely. There are tons of them. So I think that Hep[atitis][Hepatitis] CP Live actually has great tools, the American Liver Foundation, [and] you cannot go wrong with things like the CDC or the World Health Organization. Also, I wouldn't discount your industry partners, especially once you [patients] know the agent that you're[they’re] being started on. There are really great resources on those websites when [they] you know what you're[they’re] going to be taking. But I think that misinformation is also prevalent. So yYou want to make sure that you're talking to your patients about what their fears are. There still are websites out there that say that Hep[atitis][hepatitis] C treatment is intolerable, that you're going to end up with depression or some of the interferon-related side [adverse] effects, [or] that you won't be able to work through things, or that these are still experimental. I mean, tThese are not experimental therapies anymore. And so, yYou want to make sure that you're using a tool that's vetted and up-to -date, not archaic.

 YeahYes, hcv.com is also another great resource.— A alot of information there, practical information about implementation, and tons of great educational content. Thanks to all of you for this rich and informative discussion. And thank you, our viewers, for joining us during this HCP Live Peer Exchange. If you enjoyed today's content, please subscribe to our e-news letters to receive information regarding upcoming peer exchanges and other great content right to your inbox. Thank you very much.

Transcript was AI-generated and edited for clarity.

Expert hepatologists discuss future developments in HCV that they are excited about and provide resources for new providers to get started on delivering HCV care.

Anthony Martinez, MD

Glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1 RAs) such as semaglutide and tirzepatide have exploded in popularity for the treatment of both diabetes mellitus and obesity. As the use of these medications has become more widespread, an obscure side effect has led to significant clinical considerations in the peri-endoscopy arena. Specifically, GLP-1 RAs have been shown to slow gastric emptying and reduce bowel motility due to inhibition of peristalsis at the level of the GLP-1 receptors localized to myenteric neurons.

With this mechanism in mind, the concern for possible adverse events during endoscopy has been explored and validated. The development of gastroparesis in individuals using GLP1-RAs is more than 4 times higher compared to placebo with the clinical implication being an increased rate of retained gastric contents – in fact, a 30% higher prevalence of this was found in GLP-1 RA users.

 Other consequential effects include a 4 times higher likelihood of aborted esophagogastroduodenoscopy and a higher likelihood of suffering from aspiration pneumonia.

 Internal data from the Cleveland Clinic further corroborated these reported findings.

While the motility effects of GLP-1 RAs within the stomach are well known, the remainder of the bowel is not immune to experiencing the same phenomenon resulting in motility consequences downstream. One such example is the significant negative impact these medications have on the quality of bowel preparation for colonoscopy.

 After studying our own internal data here at Cleveland Clinic, similar findings were observed with poor bowel preparation rates being significantly higher in those using GLP-1 RAs.

Taking the study a step further, the clinical significance was examined by comparing both adenoma detection rates and sessile serrated polyp (SSP) detection rates between users and non-users. Fortunately, adenoma detection rates were unaffected by GLP-1 RA use despite worse bowel preparation. However, SSP detection rates were significantly lower in GLP-1 RA users when compared with nonusers, suggesting GLP-1 RA use is associated with a lower-quality colon cancer screening exam.

Given these adverse effects, the American Society of Anesthesiologists has made recommendations for peri-endoscopic management of GLP-1 RA use that have largely been adopted by hospitals nationwide. These recommendations suggest holding the medication prior to the planned procedure at an interval dependent on the half-life of the medication. For example, long-acting formulations are recommended to be held for 1 week prior to upper endoscopy to reduce the risk of aspiration. This recommended hold period is roughly equivalent to a single half-life of a typical long-acting GLP-1 RAs.

It is unclear if this is enough to ameliorate the effects of decreased motility and consequential increase of retained gastric contents. A more practical approach was recently described in an American Gastroenterological Association Rapid Clinical Practice Update recommending a liquid diet the day prior to upper endoscopy in patients using GLP-1 RAs in lieu of holding the medication. There remains no guidance for colonoscopy bowel preparation strategies to address the poor preps often observed in patients actively using GLP-1 RAs.

While the popularity of GLP-1 RAs only recently exploded, the ill effects on endoscopy are coming to light. More studies are needed to understand which approaches to endoscopy and colonoscopy are most effective in reducing potential harm for our patients while ensuring they receive a high-quality endoscopic exam.

Sodhi M, Rezaeianzadeh R, Kezouh A, et al. Risk of Gastrointestinal Adverse Events Associated With Glucagon-Like Peptide-1 Receptor Agonists for Weight Loss. 

 2023;330(18):1795–1797. doi:10.1001/jama.2023.19574

Sen S, Potnuru PP, Hernandez N, et al. Glucagon-Like Peptide-1 Receptor Agonist Use and Residual Gastric Content Before Anesthesia. 

 2024;159(6):660–667. doi:10.1001/jamasurg.2024.0111

Nadeem D, Taye M, Still MD, et al. Effects of glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists on upper endoscopy in diabetic and nondiabetic patients. 

Yeo YH, Gaddam S, Ng WH, et al. Increased Risk of Aspiration Pneumonia Associated With Endoscopic Procedures Among Patients With Glucagon-like Peptide 1 Receptor Agonist Use. 

. 2024;167(2):402-404.e3. doi:10.1053/j.gastro.2024.03.015

Firkins SA, Yates J, Shukla N, et al. Clinical Outcomes and Safety of Upper Endoscopy While on Glucagon-Like Peptide-1 Receptor Agonists. 

Yao R, Gala KS, Ghusn W, et al. Effect of Glucagon-Like Peptide-1 Receptor Agonists on Bowel Preparation for Colonoscopy. 

. 2024;119(6):1154-1157. doi:10.14309/ajg.0000000000002564

With the growing popularity of GLP-1 receptor agonists, understanding their impact on gastric emptying, bowel motility, and potential implications for endoscopy is essential.

GLP-1 Receptor Agonists and Pre-Procedure Planning for Endoscopy

David Long, DO

Elizabeth Spencer, MD, MS, is an assistant professor of pediatrics in the division of pediatric Gastroenterology at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai and at the Mount Sinai Kravis Children’s Hospital.

New Research Supports GLP-1 RA Use in IBD for Weight Loss, Disease Control

 rates are rising across the US, with an estimated 1 in 5 adults in each state living with obesity. According to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the prevalence of obesity in US adults was 40.3% from 2021–2023.

 as a disease of malabsorption and underweight, patients with IBD are no exception to the obesity epidemic.

“In patients with IBD, [obesity] is not just associated with cardiometabolic disease, but also worsened IBD outcomes, increased disease flares, needs for surgery, and surgical complications, so it's incredibly important that we find a safe and effective treatment strategy,” Stephanie Gold, MD, an instructor of medicine at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai and a gastroenterologist at the Mount Sinai Hospital, explained to 

While GLP-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1 RAs) have become an increasingly popular weight loss tool and may offer a potential solution to the rising rates of obesity, research on their use in IBD is limited.

Seeking to address this gap in research, Gold and Elizabeth Spencer, MD, MS, an assistant professor of pediatrics in the division of pediatric Gastroenterology at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai and at the Mount Sinai Kravis Children’s Hospital, presented 4 abstracts on the use of GLP-1 RAs in patients with IBD at Digestive Disease Week (DDW) 2025, exploring recent prescribing trends, differences in patient demographics, as well as the safety and efficacy of this class of medications in this patient population.

Looking at GLP-1 RA prescription trends from 2020-2024 among patients with IBD at Mount Sinai, they found 6% of patients in the cohort were prescribed GLP-1 RAs—primarily for obesity—with semaglutide as the most common agent. Endocrinologists and primary care providers initiated most prescriptions, while GI specialists accounted for only a small fraction.

Importantly, Gold and Spencer’s research also demonstrated that GLP-1 RAs are safe in IBD populations, with minimal side effects and no evidence of worsening disease activity. They were also effective, with patients achieving average weight loss of 5%, 8%, and 10% at 3, 6, and 12 months, respectively, and rates of clinical remission in IBD improving over time.

“We have a medication that we know is effective and safe and may impact IBD outcomes,” Gold said. “For us, it was a win-win.”

“Most of the data so far on GLP-1s in IBD have come from big registry data where they don't have this kind of granularity on the clinical outcomes,” Spencer added. “They've talked about hospitalizations and surgeries, but they don't actually have the disease activity from the office visits, so this is something novel that we're able to present.”

Their research also confirmed the safety and efficacy of GLP-1 RAs in patients with perianal fistulizing Crohn’s disease, yielding “excellent” weight loss and a reduced need for surgical intervention relative to the year prior.

Phenotypically, Gold and Spencer found GLP-1 RA recipients were more likely to have less severe disease, colonic involvement, and later-onset Crohn’s, potentially reflecting physician hesitancy to use GLP-1 RAs in patients with more severe disease, though Spencer noted further research is needed.

Looking ahead, both experts emphasize the need for prospective studies to explore GLP-1 RA use beyond weight loss, including as adjunct therapy, in maintenance, and potentially for IBD prevention in high-risk populations. They also highlight interest in studying GLP-1 RAs in special IBD groups, such as patients with ileostomies or J-pouches, where slowed GI transit may offer added symptom relief.

Editors’ note: Gold and Spencer have not indicated any relevant disclosures.

US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. New CDC Data Show Adult Obesity Prevalence Remains High. September 12, 2024. Accessed May 9, 2025. 

https://www.cdc.gov/media/releases/2024/p0912-adult-obesity.html

US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Obesity and Severe Obesity Prevalence in Adults: United States, August 2021–August 2023. September 2024. Accessed May 9, 2025. 

https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/products/databriefs/db508.htm

Gold SL, Freid H, Shalom ES, et al. TRENDS IN GLUCAGON-LIKE PEPTIDE-1 AGONIST (GLP-1A) PRESCRIBING FOR PATIENTS WITH INFLAMMATORY BOWEL DISEASE. Abstract presented at Digestive Disease Week 2025 in San Diego, CA, from May 3 - May 6, 2025.

Gold SL, Freid H, Shalom ES, et al. GLUCAGON-LIKE PEPTIDE-1 AGONISTS IN INFLAMMATORY BOWEL DISEASE LEAD TO SIGNIFICANT WEIGHT LOSS AND IMPROVED CLINICAL REMISSION WITH MINIMAL SIDE EFFECTS. Abstract presented at Digestive Disease Week 2025 in San Diego, CA, from May 3 - May 6, 2025.

Bergenholtz S, Gold SL, Spencer EA, et al. GLUCAGON-LIKE PEPTIDE-1 RECEPTOR AGONIST USE IN PATIENTS WITH PERIANAL FISTULIZING CROHN’S DISEASE IS WELL TOLERATED AND LEADS TO WEIGHT LOSS AND CLINICAL IMPROVEMENT IN FISTULA ACTIVITY. Abstract presented at Digestive Disease Week 2025 in San Diego, CA, from May 3 - May 6, 2025.

Spencer EA, Shalom ES, Freid H, et al. PATIENTS WITH INFLAMMATORY BOWEL DISEASE (IBD) PRESCRIBED GLUCAGON-LIKE PEPTIDE-1 AGONISTS HAVE LESS SEVERE DISEASE AND REDUCED ADVANCED THERAPY UTILIZATION COMPARED TO THE GENERAL IBD POPULATION. Abstract presented at Digestive Disease Week 2025 in San Diego, CA, from May 3 - May 6, 2025.

A pair of experts discuss their research on trends in the use of GLP-1 RAs in patients with IBD as well as their safety and efficacy in this patient population.

Elizabeth Spencer, MD, MS

Exploring Oral Systemic Therapies for Plaque Psoriasis: Efficacy, Safety, and Clinical Considerations

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Lauren Miller, MPAS, PA-C; Jayme M. Heim, MSN FNP-BC, and Kirk Gautier, PA-C, discuss recent advancements in plaque psoriasis treatment, focusing on novel oral systemic therapies like the TYK-2 inhibitor deucravacitinib and its clinical trial data, to inform therapeutic decisions for this systemic disease.

Exploring Oral Systemic Therapies For Plaque Psoriasis: Efficacy, Safety, and Clinical Considerations

Jayme M Heim, MSN, FNP-BC

Nitsa Sebat, MS, PA-C is an assistant clinical professor at the Betty Irene Moore School of Nursing, UC Davis.

Nitsa Sebat, MS, PA-C

The panel concludes by discussing the long-term outcomes for patients treated for hypercortisolism.

Long-Term Outcomes for Patients Treated for Hypercortisolism

The panel concludes by discussing the long-term outcomes for patients treated for hypercortisolism, emphasizing the need for further studies and data, and sharing their final thoughts on the disease and its future management.

Pam Kushner, MD 

It is commonly known that having type 2 diabetes can lead to the development of various health conditions, including heart disease, neuropathy, kidney disease, and eye disease. Not as well-known is the association between type 2 diabetes and infection, according to 

published a paper on the risk of infection in older adults with type 2 diabetes

“Infections are not typically considered traditional complications of diabetes, but they are an important reason why people with diabetes end up in the hospital,” said Lipska, an associate professor of medicine (endocrinology and metabolism) at Yale School of Medicine. “Infections are also a common cause of hospitalization among older adults, and older adults with type 2 diabetes are at increased risk.”

In a Q&A, Lipska discusses the impact of type 2 diabetes on the immune system and findings from her recent research.

How does having type 2 diabetes impact the immune system?

Diabetes impacts the immune system in multiple ways. High blood sugar impairs the function of the body’s white cells, making it harder for the immune system to fight off infection. People with type 2 diabetes may also be susceptible to infection because of complications of the disease, such as neuropathy or peripheral vascular disease, in which they develop wounds on their feet. The combination of having high blood sugar and poor blood flow to the extremities makes healing difficult.

What has your research shown about the risk of infection among older adults with type 2 diabetes?

Guidelines for older adults recommend more relaxed blood sugar control than for younger adults because the risks associated with blood sugar becoming too low increase with age. Through our research, we wanted to learn whether the guidelines, which recommend keeping older people at higher blood sugar levels, increase the risk of infection. We wanted to find out if being on the higher end of the recommended range increases the risk of infection compared to being on the more tightly controlled end.

To do this, we broke up the recommended range of glycemic control from A1C levels of 6 to 7 percent, 7 to 8 percent, and 8 to 9 percent. We looked at the association between those three different ranges of glycemic control and being hospitalized for any or one of four kinds of infection—respiratory; genitourinary; skin, soft tissue, and bone; and sepsis—to see whether having A1C in these different ranges makes a difference.

We found that having A1C at the higher end of that recommended range is not associated with a significantly increased risk of hospitalization for any of those four infections. However, individuals with A1C between 8 and 9 percent had a 33 percent increased risk of having skin, soft tissue, and bone infections.

What does this mean for older people with type 2 diabetes?

In my older patients, where it doesn’t make clinical sense to control their blood sugars very tightly, I will try to hit the 7 to 8 percent, the middle range, if I can do that safely without causing undue risk to the patient. But in patients who might have low blood sugar reactions at that range or who are starting a treatment or undergoing a transition—for example, to a nursing home—that relatively small risk of skin and soft tissue and bone infection may be outweighed by the benefits of keeping their blood sugar a little bit less tightly controlled.

COVID has made us all more aware that chronic disease is interconnected with acute infectious risk. Given that diabetes raises this risk, more studies need to be done to better understand that relationship and incorporate this risk into our calculations of not only the types of medications that we use for people with diabetes but also the glycemic control levels that are optimal for individuals with respect to their health.

Section of Endocrinology and Metabolism works to improve the health of individuals with endocrine and metabolic diseases by advancing scientific knowledge; applying new information to patient care; and training the next generation of physicians and scientists to become leaders in the field. To learn more, visit

Type 2 diabetes is linked to increased infection risk, particularly in older adults, due to impaired immune function and complications like neuropathy. Research indicates that while higher A1C levels (8-9%) do not significantly increase hospitalization risk for most infections, they do elevate the risk for skin, soft tissue, and bone infections by 33%. For older patients, maintaining A1C levels between 7-8% is advisable, balancing infection risk with the dangers of hypoglycemia. Further studies are needed to refine glycemic control guidelines and medication choices considering infection risks.

In a Q&A, Kasia Lipska, MD, MHS, discusses the impact of type 2 diabetes on the immune system and findings from her recent research.

Investigating the Link Between Type 2 Diabetes and Infection

Serena Crawford

In part 2 of this episode of Crisis Point, 4 experts on pain and opioid misuse discuss continuing efforts to turn the tide.

Crisis Point: Turning the Tide in The Opioid Crisis

Our mini-docuseries has returned, taking a comprehensive look at public health crises affecting the United States today, with global implications tomorrow. If the crisis point is the moment where a crisis will worsen or begin to get better, the question remains: where are we now?

Addressing the Opioid Crisis: Efforts to Turn the Tide

This episode examines the growing and evolving opioid crisis, a public health emergency that has claimed more than half a million lives over the past 2 decades in the United States.

What began as a prescribing-driven epidemic has evolved into a more complex crisis fueled by the proliferation of illicit synthetic opioids, persistent gaps in access to treatment, and social determinants that drive vulnerability to substance use disorder.

In 2023, the overall rate of mortality from drug overdoses slightly fell for the first time since 2018.

 The decrease could be due to a number of factors, including new pharmaceutical options for treating opioid use disorder, a shift away from opioid prescribing regimens, regulatory and advocacy action, and even the COVID-19 pandemic. While the decrease is a positive sign for those working with OUD, overdose deaths related to illicitly manufactured fentanyl, fentanyl analogs, methamphetamine and cocaine remain at historic highs and the work is only beginning.

Be sure to check out part 1 of this episode, which into the complex challenges surrounding OUD, exploring how the opioid crisis has evolved and grown in recent years and how new pharmaceuticals and prescribing regimens may be helping to turn the tide.

In part 2, the conversation shifts to ongoing advocacy and regulatory action and significant progress in turning the tide in the opioid crisis so far.

Brief descriptions of the speakers featured in this project are provided below:

Angel Goenawan, MD, hospitalist at Bayhealth in Delaware

Bobby Mukkamala, MD president-elect of the American Medical Association (AMA) and chair of the AMA’s Substance Use and Pain Care Task Force

Michele J. Buonora, MD, MS, MSHS, assistant professor of medicine, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Montefiore Einstein

Shoshana Herzig, MD, assistant professor of medicine, Harvard Medical School and Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center

For more video content, visit our Crisis Point page to see other episodes on improving health equity in eye care, disparities in cardiovascular health, insulin access in the United States, physician burnout across healthcare, and the ongoing obesity crisis.

U.S. Overdose Deaths Decrease in 2023, First Time Since 2018. Webpage. CDC. May 15, 2024. 

https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/pressroom/nchs_press_releases/2024/20240515.htm

AMA Substance Use and Pain Care Task Force recommendations. Webpage. AMA. 2025. 

https://www.ama-assn.org/delivering-care/nation-s-overdose-epidemic/ama-substance-use-and-pain-care-task-force

HHS Announces Transformation to Make America Healthy Again. Webpage. HHS. March 27, 2025. 

https://www.hhs.gov/press-room/hhs-restructuring-doge.html

More than a dozen states, DC sue Trump administration over ‘dismantling’ of federal health agencies. Webpage. CNN. May 5, 2025. 

https://www.cnn.com/2025/05/05/health/states-sue-trump-administration-hhs-rfk

Shoshana Herzig, MD, MPH

Part 5 of our 5-part panel discussion for CRC Awareness Month focuses on: Appropriate Guidance for CRC Screening Age/Role of Advocacy Organizations

Appropriate Guidance for CRC Screening Age, Role of Advocacy Organizations

This portion of our 5-part peer-to-peer discussion on the importance of colorectal cancer (CRC) screening focuses on appropriate guidance for screening age and the future of CRC advocacy in light of emerging technologies and evolving healthcare policies.

, as the experts discuss current and prospective age-based screening recommendations as well as the importance of both awareness and navigation of screening.

Sapienza introduces the topic and inquires about the experts’ reactions to suggestions for lowering the screening age to younger than 45 years, to which Imperiale says he is “horrified” and describes how this would likely lead to more harm than benefits. Instead, he suggests “doing things that make the most sense first,” like making patients aware of symptoms that warrant testing.

Colangelo then poses a question to Sapienza regarding his outlook on the future of CRC screening, advocacy, and support from nonprofit organizations, to which Sapienza describes the significance of both awareness and navigation efforts from the Colorectal Cancer Alliance, additionally calling attention to the important role of risk stratification.

Updates in Colorectal Cancer Screening Recommendations

Pressing Challenges in Colorectal Cancer Screening

Reaching Patients in Need of Screening for Colorectal Cancer

Navigating Patient Histories, Risk Factor Conversations in CRC Screening

 chief executive officer of the Colorectal Cancer Alliance, the largest colon cancer advocacy group in the country, and member of the American Cancer Society’s National Colorectal Cancer Roundtable steering committee.

, an internist, vice president, and chief quality officer for Premier Medical Associates, a large multispecialty group within Allegheny Health Network as well as a member of the American Cancer Society’s National Colorectal Cancer Roundtable steering committee.

 a gastroenterologist, associate division chief of the Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, and medical director of Endoscopic Innovations at Allegheny Health Network.

principal investigator of the BLUE-C trial, research scientist at Regenstrief Institute, and Lawrence Lumeng Professor of Gastroenterology and Hepatology at Indiana University School of Medicine.

Imperiale has no relevant disclosures to report. Colangelo has no disclosures to report. Relevant disclosures for Kochhar include CorEvitas Research, Eli Lilly, Boston Scientific Endoscopy, Olympus Endoscopy, and Pentax Endoscopy. Sapienza has no relevant disclosures to report.

In part 5 of our 5-part discussion, experts discuss their perspective on appropriate guidance for screening age and the future of CRC advocacy.

Authors