WASHINGTON, D.C. (May 19, 2007) -- Todays global leaders in gastrointestinal medicine will gather this week to discuss the latest in scientific research in gastroenterology, hepatology, endoscopy and gastrointestinal (GI) surgery during Digestive Disease Week (DDW) 2007, May 19-24 in Washington, D.C. DDW brings together more than 16,000 attendees each year from around the world and is the largest meeting of its kind. From GI cancers and related diseases to analyses of best practices and innovative diagnostic approaches, this years presentations will feature breakthrough treatments and procedures for GI disorders, review current standards and highlight a variety of clinical studies. Research presented at DDW 2007 promises to address hot topics in GI health, including:

• Better diagnostics, stronger therapies and more effective procedures for colorectal cancer
• Positive and negative impact of lifestyle, diet choices on digestive health
• Trends in breakthrough treatments for patients with hepatitis C
• Quality measures improve screening and detection of colon cancer
• Studies looking at differences in gender, ethnicity and risk of GI diseases
• Up-and-coming therapies and screening options for IBS and IBD

DDW is jointly sponsored by the American Association for the Study of Liver Diseases (AASLD), the American Gastroenterological Association (AGA) Institute, the American Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy (ASGE) and the Society for Surgery of the Alimentary Tract (SSAT).

DDW has scheduled a total of eight press conferences throughout the medical meeting to highlight timely issues and key areas facing the GI community:

Sunday, May 20

• Close-Up on Liver Diseases Improving Tests and Treatments (10:00 11:00 a.m. EDT)
• New Approaches to Managing Hepatitis (12:00 1:00 p.m. EDT)

Monday, May 21

• Progress in 2007
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