Endoscopy Innovations: Safer, Smarter Tools for GI Screening

Endoscopy Evolved: Safer, Smarter GI Screening Tools for Brian Head By Scott Kraft, Utah Channel 3, 10-Year ACG Veteran September 14, 2025

BRIAN HEAD, Utah — When John, a 52-year-old ski instructor from Brian Head, went in for his first colonoscopy last year, he was nervous. “I’d heard stories about discomfort and rare complications,” he told me over hot cocoa at a local lodge. “But the doctor showed me this high-tech scope with a tiny camera and said it’s safer than ever. I barely felt a thing.” John’s story resonates in Brian Head, where colorectal cancer screening is gaining traction, thanks to innovations in endoscopy that are making procedures faster, safer, and more accurate. As I gear up for my 11th straight year covering the American College of Gastroenterology (ACG) Annual Meeting in Phoenix later this month, I’m eager to see what’s next for these game-changing tools.

Endoscopy—using a flexible tube with a camera to peer inside the digestive tract—has long been the gold standard for catching issues like polyps, ulcers, or early cancers. But the tech is evolving fast. Take AI-assisted colonoscopy, for example. New systems, like those tested in 2024 trials, use artificial intelligence to flag suspicious tissue in real-time, reducing the chance of missing a polyp by up to 20%, according to a study in Gastroenterology. “It’s like having a second set of expert eyes,” Dr. Emily Chen, a gastroenterologist who consults at Cedar City Hospital, told me. “AI helps us catch things we might miss, especially in high-volume settings.”

Another leap is narrow-band imaging (NBI), a technique that enhances visibility of blood vessels and tissue patterns. Recent data from the Mayo Clinic shows NBI improves detection of flat polyps—tricky lesions that older scopes often overlooked. For southern Utahns, this is critical. Iron County, near Brian Head, sees about 50 new colorectal cancer cases annually, per the Utah Cancer Registry, and early detection can push survival rates past 90% for localized cancers.

But access is a challenge in rural areas like Brian Head. Residents often drive hours to St. George or Cedar City for advanced endoscopy suites. “We’re pushing to get mobile screening units equipped with these new scopes,” Dr. Chen said. “It’s about bringing the tech to places like Brian Head, not making patients come to us.” Telehealth follow-ups, now common post-procedure, are also helping rural patients stay connected with specialists.

At ACG 2025 in Phoenix, set for October 24-29, I’ll be diving into sessions showcasing next-gen devices. One highlight: demos of disposable endoscopes, which eliminate infection risks tied to reused equipment—a rare but serious concern. Another session will explore how 3D imaging could make procedures even less invasive. These advancements aren’t just sci-fi—they’re starting to reach clinics, including some in southern Utah.

For Brian Head residents like John, these innovations mean peace of mind. “I’m glad I didn’t put it off,” he said, now an advocate for regular screenings among his ski buddies. If you’re over 45 (or younger with a family history), talk to your doctor about scheduling a colonoscopy. Local programs, like those through the Huntsman Cancer Institute’s outreach in southern Utah, offer low-cost options for uninsured patients. With new tools making the process safer and smarter, there’s no better time to get checked.

As I pack for Phoenix, I’m reminded why I’ve covered ACG for over a decade: stories like John’s show how far we’ve come, and the sessions this month will reveal how much further we can go. Stay tuned to Utah Channel 3 for updates from the conference—and in the meantime, don’t skip that screening. Your future self will thank you.

Scott Kraft has covered gastroenterology advancements for Utah Channel 3 since 2014, attending ACG annually to bring the latest insights to our readers.