Innovations in GI Cancer Screening with Paul Limburg, MD

In this podcast episode, Paul Limburg, MD, MPH, discusses the movement from academics to industry, developments in colorectal cancer screening tools and more.

• Intro 1:11
• Paul Limburg, MD, MPH 1:17
• How did your early influences and childhood years lead you to become interested in gastroenterology and the career you have today? 1:34
• Who were your early inspirations? 2:14
• How did you transition from a career in academics and sciences to a life on the commercial side? 3:34
• How did your role at Exact Sciences come about? 5:58
• Was it a hard decision to take a new position? 7:47
• Chey and Limburg on the joy of advancing science and innovation. 9:03
• Were there any cultural differences that shocked you about the ways work is done in your previous and current positions? 10:10
• Do you see Exact outsourcing scientific research as the company grows? 12:12
• What does a typical day look like for you at Exact? […] What are you responsible of as the leading physician? 13:28
• From a product standpoint, what is ahead on the roadmap for Exact Sciences? […] What are you most excited about regarding next-generation multi-target stool testing and its impact? 15:14
• How do you respond to gastroenterologists' skepticism and concerns surrounding stool-based screening? 21:15
• What about addressing the concerns surrounding how we can ensure patients with a positive FIT test go in for a colonoscopy? 23:22
• How much of an issue are language barriers when it comes to screening tools? 28:11
• Can you talk about how Exact Sciences are using AI and the evolution of the microbiome internally or in product development? 29:42
• Do you see a future for stool-based testing in between/in combination with colonoscopies? 32:59
• Have you noticed differences in sensitivity and specificity based on age? 34:07
• What are your thoughts on making these tools available in a direct-to-consumer offering? […] How do you make these screening tools more readily available while weighing the usage risks? 35:08
• What is the rate of patients who have a positive stool-based test getting a colonoscopy? 38:44
• If you were talking to a GI fellow deciding to make the jump to industry, what do you tell them? 41:58
• Thank you, Paul 44:55
• Thanks for listening 45:21

Paul J. Limburg, MD, MPH, is chief medical officer for screening at Exact Sciences and emeritus professor of Medicine at Mayo Clinic.

We'd love to hear from you! Send your comments/questions to [e-mail]. Follow us on X @HealioGastro @sameerkberry @umfoodoc. For more from Dr. Limburg, follow @limburg_paul and @ExactSciences on X.

Disclosures: Chey and Berry report no relevant financial disclosures. Limburg reports he is an employee of Exact Sciences.