Gastroenterology issues debated

The British Society of Gastroenterology is focused on the promotion of high standards for clinical services, research, training and education in gastroenterology and hepatology within the UK. It has over three thousand members drawn from the ranks of physicians, surgeons, pathologists, radiologists, scientists, nurses, dietitians, and others interested in the field. This year, the society will be hosting its annual meeting in Liverpool, which is expected to attract over 2,500 delegates from around the world – including research scientists, clinicians, nurses, patients and students. The sessions will take a variety of formats including: patients’ sessions; addresses from political speakers; debates; as well as symposia and research workshops – linking science and clinical practice. Presentations will include subjects that affect millions of patients around the world such as new endoscopic techniques, progress in the treatment of hepatitis and liver cirrhosis, digestive oncology, nutrition, inflammatory bowel disease, and disorders of the oesophagus, stomach and bowel. There will also be a focus on diseases of the liver, pancreas and gallbladder – from both a global and UK perspective.

Running alongside the main sessions, there will be a symposium focusing on “Better Care and Better Experiences” for patients with bowel cancer or inflammatory bowel disease, with speakers and representatives from Bowel Cancer UK and the National Association of Colitis and Crohn’s Disease. High on the agenda at the conference will be the bowel cancer screening programme. As the third most common cancer in the UK, and the second leading cause of cancer deaths,1 the disease has been targeted as a priority area. Regular screening has been shown to reduce the risk of dying from bowel cancer by 16%2 and BSG has been campaigning for further investment in the national bowel cancer screening programme to ensure more colorectal cancers are detected early and treated. This emphasis follows figures released in the Cancer Reform Strategy report, showing that more needs to be done to win the battle against bowel cancer. The BSG is also calling for action to reduce alcohol-related illnesses and deaths and the organisation will be launching a joint BSG/Alcohol Health Alliance Report on alcohol services in secondary care, at the annual meeting. Statistics from the NHS have shown that in 2007/08 there were 863,300 hospital admissions related to alcohol consumption, a massive 69% increase since 2002/03. In addition, YouGov research, commissioned by the British Society of Gastroenterology last year, showed that the British public believes the Government needs to take action to tackle this serious health issue. Nearly half the British public (49%) said that they believed alcohol consumption will continue to rise for at least the next 10 years, despite Government efforts to reduce alcohol consumption. However, 52% of the respondents also said they drank above safe limits. “It is the ‘sensible majority’ that needs protection,” commented BSG president, Professor Chris Hawkey. “Excessive alcohol consumption and increasing alcoholic liver disease pervade all ages and sections of society.” He called for a radical rethink of public health policy, including a possible ban of all alcohol advertising aimed at youngsters, as well as introducing a minimum price for a unit of alcohol. “The BSG, whose members frequently deal with the most serious cases, have for a long time been calling for urgent action to be taken to address the ever increasing tide of alcohol-related ill health that is being seen in hospital wards throughout the UK. “A joined up policy approach to alcohol-related ill health which comprises a minimum unit price, targeted fiscal measures and independent regulation of alcohol advertising and promotion will go a long way to addressing harmful drinking. “At the same time, and of particular concern to the BSG and its members, is a need to improve the delivery of alcohol services at all levels of care so that harmful and problem drinkers receive the care and service they require as early as possible. Early detection and intervention are paramount to prevent patients presenting on our wards with serious cases of alcoholic liver disease, cirrhosis or pancreatitis.”

Other discussion areas will cover: cancer prevention strategies, ethnic differences in gastrointestinal and nonviral liver disease, the impact of obesity on gastro-oesophageal reflux disease (GORD), colorectal cancer outcomes following surgery, whether all patients with inflammatory bowel disease should be immunised, as well as issues relating to immune suppression in this patient group. Key highlights include: