AI Outperforms Physicians in Answering Cancer Questions, Study Finds at Digestive Disease Week 2025

Digestive Disease Week (DDW) 2025 in San Diego highlighted advancements in cancer research, featuring nearly 6,000 abstracts. Key studies included AI outperforming physicians in answering gastrointestinal cancer questions, with oncologists preferring ChatGPT responses 80% of the time. Additionally, rising endoscopic techniques reduced surgery rates for benign colon polyps, and a study suggested fasting before colonoscopy may not be necessary. These findings underscore DDW’s focus on advancing gastroenterology research and clinical practices.

At Digestive Disease Week (DDW) 2025, a study highlighted the growing role of artificial intelligence in GI cancer research. The research compared responses to patient inquiries from ChatGPT and physicians, revealing that oncologists preferred AI-generated answers nearly 80% of the time.

The methodology involved analyzing 15 real patient questions from Reddit’s AskDocs forum. These were evaluated by 12 board-certified oncologists based on quality, empathy, and readability. The results showed that ChatGPT outperformed physicians in quality (80% vs. 35%) and empathy (82% vs. 18%). However, AI responses were deemed less readable according to the Flesch Reading Ease Score.

This study underscores the potential of large-language models like ChatGPT to enhance patient communication in GI cancer research. The findings suggest that while AI excels in providing detailed and empathetic information, there is room for improvement in making such content more accessible to patients. This could pave the way for integrating AI tools into clinical settings to support oncologists in delivering high-quality care.

A study presented at Digestive Disease Week (DDW) 2025 demonstrated that advancements in endoscopic techniques have significantly reduced surgery rates for benign polyps. Researchers analyzed data from a large cohort of patients, revealing a notable increase in the use of minimally invasive endoscopic resection methods over traditional surgical approaches. This shift has been associated with lower complication rates, reduced recovery times, and improved patient outcomes.

The findings highlight the growing preference for less invasive approaches in GI cancer research, emphasizing the importance of minimizing invasiveness while maintaining efficacy.

A randomised controlled trial at DDW 2025 investigated whether relaxing pre-colonoscopy fasting guidelines could enhance patient comfort without compromising safety. The study compared traditional fasting protocols with a modified approach allowing clear liquids up to two hours before the procedure. Results showed no significant difference in adverse events between the groups, suggesting that relaxed guidelines may improve patient experience and reduce logistical challenges for healthcare providers.

Digestive Disease Week (DDW) 2025 emerged as a pivotal event in advancing GI medicine. With over 6,000 abstracts and more than 1,000 lectures, the conference provided a comprehensive platform for sharing cutting-edge research and clinical insights. The dual in-person and online format enhanced accessibility, making it easier for professionals worldwide to engage with the latest developments in GI cancer research and clinical practice.