Prevention is and will remain a major goal of medicine and gastroenterology. Economics will have a major influence. Preventive approaches will need to prove a favorable cost-benefit ratio before they are authorized for broad implementation. Personalized medicine is just starting, but undoubtedly it will accelerate, gain relevance and become an integral part of our clinical practice. Physicians in general and gastroenterologists specifically will need to seriously contemplate retraining/refocusing to gain competence in genetic/proteomic evaluation of individuals, or risk a significant degree of obsolescence.

Keywords:
Barrettߣs esophagus, Colon cancer prevention, Gastroenterology, pathological conditions, Gastroenterology, preventive strategies, Personalized medicine, Screening, quality assurance
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© 2011 S. Karger AG, Basel
2011
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