Procedure quality, systematic examination important in identifying early disease: Experts at World Gastro Congress

An inspection time of at least seven minutes was associated with nearly 34 times higher detection of gastric cancers and dysplasia highlighting how systematic examination adequate mucosal visualisation and documentation can influence early identification of disease experts at the World Congress of Gastroenterology WCOG 2026 in New Delhi saidGastrointestinal cancers account for about a quarter of all cancer cases and nearly a third of cancer deaths globally with the burden projected to almost double by 2050 they saidThe issue of early detection along with advances in endoscopy artificial intelligence and minimally invasive treatment featured prominently at the threeday congress which concluded in New Delhi on October 3One of the most striking findings discussed at the congress was the association between the quality and duration of upper gastrointestinal endoscopy and cancer detectionSpending at least seven minutes inspecting the upper gastrointestinal tract during endoscopy was associated with about 34 times higher detection of gastric cancers and dysplasiaDr Pramod Garg head of the department of gastroenterology and human nutrition at AIIMS Delhi said Earlier detection depends on both identifying people at risk and ensuring that diagnostic procedures are performed to the highest possible standard Highquality endoscopy can create an important opportunity to identify disease at a stage when intervention can make a greater differenceIndias changing cancer profile also featured prominently with growing attention around earlyonset colorectal cancer and the factors that may be contributing to its rise Garg who is also president of Indian Society of Gastroenterology and cochair of the steering committee WCOG 2026 saidResearch discussed at WCOG 2026 examined the potential roles of genetics environmental exposures and the gut microbiome raising important questions around how prevention and diagnostic strategies need to evolve as colorectal cancer affects younger populationsGallbladder cancer added another distinctly Indiarelevant dimension to the cancer conversation Discussions examined the progression from gallstones and chronic inflammation to malignancy including the potential contribution of large or highrisk gallstones chronic infections and environmental exposuresGreater awareness of suspicious gallbladder wall changes appropriate imaging and timely multidisciplinary evaluation could help address delays in diagnosisThe changing burden of liver disease was another major area of focus with noninvasive approaches to identifying people at risk of metabolic and alcoholrelated liver disease gaining importance Discussions also reflected the changing causes of liver cancer in India with metabolic factors becoming increasingly relevant alongside infectious causesArtificial intelligence featured across gastrointestinal and liver medicine with applications spanning prediction diagnosis and clinical decisionmakingThe conversation is increasingly moving from the potential of AI to the evidence required for its clinical use with data quality external validation explainability accountability and integration into clinical workflows emerging as critical considerationsDr Govind Makharia professor department of gastroenterology and human nutrition at AIIMS Delhi and Chairman Local Organising Committee WCOG 2026 said AI has the potential to strengthen diagnosis and decisionmaking across gastroenterology while advanced endoscopy is expanding what can be treated through minimally invasive approaches The next step is ensuring that these technologies are supported by robust evidence and integrated responsibly into clinical practiceThe prevention conversation extended beyond cancer itself H pylori which affects an estimated 40 per cent of the global population remains an important risk factor in the pathway towards gastric atrophy and gastric cancer placing greater emphasis on early testing eradication and confirmation of successful treatmentDr Barry Marshall Nobel Laureate in Physiology or Medicine and a senior gastroenterologist said H pylori is much more than an ulcer organism If the infection persists for many years it can cause chronic inflammation in the stomach and increase the risk of gastric cancer That gives us an opportunity because this is a potentially preventable cause of cancerMarshall also highlighted the importance of identifying infected individuals early and ensuring that eradication has been successful particularly as antibiotic resistance increasingly complicates treatmentHis comments come amid growing international attention around H pylori screenandtreat strategies for gastric cancer preventionThe scale of preventable gastrointestinal infections also remains significant with intestinal worm infestation affecting around one in four people globally and carrying implications for nutrition development and cognitive outcomes These concerns bring sanitation nutrition and preventive healthcare 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