Top in GI: Kiwi fruit and constipation, cancer advocacy
The top five stories in gastroenterology last week were based on presentations from the American College of Gastroenterology’s virtual conference.
Data from one presentation showed that kiwi fruit may be an effective and well-tolerated remedy for chronic constipation. Another presentation by Katie Couric was about her cancer advocacy efforts following the deaths of her husband and sister.
Read these and more in gastroenterology below:
Kiwi fruit effective, well tolerated in treating chronic constipation
Two peeled kiwi fruit per day improved chronic constipation while being better tolerated than other traditional natural remedies, according to a randomized study presented at the American College of Gastroenterology (ACG) meeting. Read more.
Katie Couric, cancer advocate, speaks to ACG: ‘Cancer found me’
In a lecture dedicated to her sister’s memory, Couric engaged in an honest and raw conversation with ACG President Mark Pochapin, MD, about how her grief over her husband’s death and then her sister’s spurred Couric into action and advocacy. Read more.
Statins linked to 20% lower colorectal cancer risk
Statins used in the general population conferred a 20% risk reduction for colorectal cancer with a possibly larger impact in patients with inflammatory bowel disease, according to an analysis. Read more.
In IBD, asking patients the right questions – and listening – matters
A survey presented at the ACG meeting showed that patients with ulcerative colitis or Crohn’s disease most frequently reported diarrhea, fatigue and moderate-to-severe abdominal pain as problematic symptoms. In this editorial, study coauthor Aline Charabaty, MD, director of the IBD Center at Johns Hopkins Sibley Memorial Hospital, discusses the importance of asking patients the right questions to better understand how their symptoms impact everyday life. Read more.
ACG President: ‘Never before have our professional societies been more needed’
During his president’s address at the ACG meeting, Pochapin discussed the important role of professional societies in addressing unprecedented health and social challenges. Read more.