FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Sharon Burns (202) 973-29343[email protected]
Stacey Ward (202) 973-5879[email protected]
NEW SCIENTIFIC ADVANCES IN GASTROENTEROLOGY PRESENTED AT COLLEGE'S 65th ANNUAL MEETING
WASHINGTON (October 12, 2000) -- More than 2,700 of the world's preeminent gastroenterologists will gather from October 16 -- October 18 for the American College of Gastroenterology's (ACG) 65th Annual Scientific Meeting at the New York Hilton. The agenda includes the latest advances in gastrointestinal research, treatment of digestive diseases and clinical practice management.
Two keynote addresses highlight the program. The Baker Presidential Lecture, "Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) New Concepts, New Therapies, New Hope," will be presented by Nicholas J. Talley, MD, FACG at 10:15 a.m. (EST) on Wednesday, October 18, 2000. An expert on IBS, Dr. Talley is a Professor of Medicine at the University of Sydney, Australia.
The J. Edward Berk Distinguished Lecture "Patients' Attitudes and Apprehensions About Endoscopy: Calming Troubled Waters," will be delivered by Lawrence J. Brandt, MD, MACG, Director of the Division of Gastroenterology at Montefiore Medical Center and North Bronx Hospital, New York, NY. Dr. Brandt will address the assembled physicians on Tuesday, October 17, 2000, at 10 a.m. (EST).
On Monday, October 16, at 10:30 a.m., a special award for Distinguished Service will be given to Virginia State Senator Emily Couric, who has successfully championed legislation in her home state to mandate that all health plans include colorectal cancer screening benefits. The legislation reflects ACG's recommendations for when and how screening should be accomplished for this disease. Although the second leading cause of deaths from cancer in the United States, it is also highly preventable. Virginia is the first state to have passed such legislation.
Daily lunchtime media briefings are planned on the following topics:
Monday, October 16, 2000, 12:30 PM (EST) -- "New Treatments for Irritable Bowel Syndrome"
* Kevin W. Olden, MD, FACG, Mayo Clinic Scottsdale, Scottsdale, AZ* Arnold Wald, MD, FACG, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, Pittsburgh, PA* Nicholas J. Talley, MD, FACG, University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia* Marvin M. Schuster, MD, FACG, Johns Hopkins Bayview Medical Center, Baltimore, MD* Moderator: Harris Clearfield, MD, FACG, Hahneman University, Philadelphia, PA
Tuesday, October 17, 2000, 12:30 PM (EST) -- "Experts Discuss Alternative Medicine and GI Conditions"
* Norman Gitlin, MD, FACG, Atlanta Gastro. Associates, Atlanta, GA* Leonard Seeff, MD, FACG, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD* Ali Keshavarzian, MD, FACG, Rush Presbyterian/St. Luke's Medical Center, Chicago, IL* Roger Greenlaw, MD, Rockford GE Associates Ltd., Rockford, IL* Moderator: Jamie S. Barkin, MD, MACG, University of Miami/Mt. Sinai Medical Center, Miami Beach, FL
Wednesday, October 18, 2000, 12:45 PM (EST) -- "Management of Hepatitis C in the New Millennium"
* Mitchell Shiffman, MD, Medical College of Virginia, Richmond, VA* Luis A. Balart, MD, FACG, Louisiana State University School of Medicine,
New Orleans, LA
* John B. Gross, MD, FACG, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN* Michael F. Lyons, II, MD, FACG, Tacoma, WA* Moderator: Rowen K. Zetterman, MD, FACG, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE
In addition to the daily lunchtime media briefings, a special briefing has been arranged to address colorectal screening.
Monday, October 16, 2000, 11:30 AM (EST) -- "Colorectal Cancer Screening"
* State Senator Emily Couric (D-VA) * David A. Johnson, MD, FACG, Digestive & Liver Disease Specialists, Norfolk, VA* Douglas K. Rex, MD, FACG, Indiana University Hospital, Indianapolis, IN* Philip S. Schoenfeld, MD, University of Michigan Medical Center, Ann Arbor, MI
Media briefings for the above are available via telephone by calling toll-free 800-218-0530.
Doctors will also be available for interviews on:Monday, October 16, 2000, 3:10 PM (EST) -- "What's New in GI Pharmacology and New Endoscopic Techniques and Devices"
* Philip O. Katz, M.D., FACG, Graduate Hospital, Philadelphia, PA
Tuesday, October 17, 2000, 10:40 AM (EST) -- "Digestive Diseases in Minorities"
* Radhika Srinivasan, M.D., Temple University Hospital, Philadelphia, PA* Anthony N. Kalloo, M.D., FACG, Johns Hopkins Hospital, Baltimore, MD
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Wednesday, October 18, 2000, 10:50 AM (EST) -- "Common GI Problems in Women: What Every Woman Should Know About Her GI Health"
* Amy E. Foxx-Orenstein, DO, FACG, Medical College of Virginia, Richmond, VA
Scientific presentations at the meeting will focus on new challenges in patient care faced by gastroenterologists and advances in the prevention and treatment of digestive diseases.
Highlights of topics to be addressed include:
* Does Acid Reflux Cause Coughing and Wheezing in People with Asthma, or Vice Versa? A study shows that it is far more likely that an episode of reflux causes coughing and wheezing.
* People with Irritable Bowel Syndrome Experience a Diminished Quality of Life. Research finds Irritable Bowel Syndrome to be under diagnosed. Patients suffering from IBS have a significantly lower quality of life than those without IBS.
* Infection with Helicobacter pylori Linked to Severe Morning Sickness. Women who suffer daily from nausea and vomiting are more likely to be infected with H pylori than are women who do not experience severe morning sickness.
* Ultrathin Scopes Offer Potential to Performing Upper Gastric Exams as an Office Procedure Without Sedation. Before the advent of ultrathin scopes, unsedated gastric exams were not tolerated, but now that thinner scopes are available, unsedated esophagogastroduodenoscopies may become common practice.
* Grape or Grain? Wine Drinking May Reduce Colon Cancer Risk. According to new research, drinking a glass of wine per week may provide protection against the development of colorectal cancer.
* Colon Cancer Screening May Cut the Numbers of Deaths in Half and Cut Costs. Broadly applied colonoscopy screening programs can cut the incidence of death from cancer by 50 percent even as it lowers the cost of colorectal cancer surgery and general cancer care.
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* Cancer of the Esophagus Rising Among African-American Men. Although it is known that a type of cancer of the esophagus (known as esophageal adenocarcinoma or AC) is increasing among whites, a study conducted by scientists at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences in Little Rock determined that AC is also rising among African-American men.
* Hepatitis C Still a Hidden Epidemic. Studies suggest public awareness of Hepatitis C viral disease is far lower than for AIDS.
* Alternative Therapies Gain Acceptance Among Consumers. Studies indicate a rise in acceptance of alternative therapies -- in conjunction with traditional therapies -- for gastrointestinal disorders.
Consumers can get more information on GI diseases through the following ACG-sponsored programs:
1-800-978-7666: GI Health Information Hotline. Callers receive free brochures on common GI disorders, including ulcers, colon cancer, gallstones and liver disease
1-800-HRT-BURN: ACG Heartburn Hotline. Callers receive a free brochure and video on GERDhttp://www.acg.gi.org - ACG's Web site
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The American College of Gastroenterology was founded in 1932 to advance the scientific study and medical treatment of disorders of the gastrointestinal tract. The College promotes the highest standards in medical education and is guided by its commitment to meeting the individual and collective needs of clinical GI practitioners.
For media registration, or to participate in the press briefings via teleconference, please contact Sharon Burns at the phone number or e-mail address listed on Page One.
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