Centre for GI Health

11/08/2026

Finding a polyp doesn't always mean the same treatment. So how do specialists decide what happens next?

In this short reel, Dr Ali Eqbal explains how different types of polyps are assessed, why most are removed, and when it may be appropriate to leave them alone.

Watch the full reel to learn more.

04/08/2026

Colon polyps are common, and in most cases they are not cancer.

What is less widely understood is that some polyps have the potential to become colorectal cancer over time. Understanding which polyps carry risk, and how they are identified and managed, is one of the reasons colonoscopy remains such an important tool in cancer prevention.

In this episode of *Everyday Medicine*, I'm joined by advanced interventional endoscopist Dr Ali Eqbal to explore the different types of colon polyps, what distinguishes those with malignant potential, and how advances in endoscopic techniques are transforming the management of complex lesions.

We explore:

– The different types of colon polyps and how they develop

– Which polyps carry a higher risk of progressing to cancer

– Why surveillance colonoscopy plays such an important preventive role

– How advanced endoscopic techniques are changing the management of large and complex polyps

Whether you're a clinician, or simply interested in understanding colorectal cancer prevention, this conversation provides a practical overview of one of the most important concepts in modern gastroenterology.

🎧 Listen to the episode here: https://www.gihealth.com.au/everyday-medicine-podcast/xsa5dklls44duqpqfll75z6kvvei5o

As always, I'd welcome your reflections after listening.

Colon polyps develop on the inner lining of the large intestine or re**um and are medically significant, as a small percentage may subsequently develop into colon cancer.  They affect roughly 15% to 40% of all adults and become increasingly frequent with age. Whilst we are now observing an

28/07/2026

Obesity medications are often discussed in terms of kilograms lost. Increasingly, the conversation is becoming much broader than weight alone.

A 2025 systematic review by McGowan and colleagues found that newer incretin-based therapies continue to demonstrate greater weight loss than older pharmacological options, while also highlighting their growing role in improving cardio-metabolic health.

What becomes clear is that obesity pharmacotherapy is evolving rapidly. As the evidence grows, so too does the need to understand where these therapies fit within long-term, individualised patient care.

To explore what this means in practice, I sat down with gastroenterologist Dr Matthew Peverelle to discuss the physiology behind these medications, how they compare, and what clinicians should consider when managing obesity.

🎧 Listen to the episode here: https://www.gihealth.com.au/everyday-medicine-podcast/episode-190-pharmacological-treatments-for-obesity-with-dr-matthew-peverelle

If the conversation adds perspective to your work in general practice or allied health, consider sharing it with a colleague. Good medicine spreads through good conversations.

Read the article here: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41039116/

21/07/2026

A headache that's unlike anything you've experienced before deserves careful attention.

In this short snippet, Dr Michael Eller explains how clinicians approach sudden or severe headaches, and why recognising certain warning signs is an important part of reaching the right diagnosis.

This conversation offers a practical look at when a headache may be more than a temporary symptom, and why understanding these patterns matters.

🎧 Revisit the full episode on our website: https://www.gihealth.com.au/everyday-medicine-podcast/episode-135-headaches-with-dr-michael-eller

If you found this snippet helpful, consider sharing it with a colleague or patient who may benefit from it.

14/07/2026

Endobariatric surgery has changed the management of obesity, but it isn't the right option for every patient.

What is perhaps lesser-known is that there is now a growing field of endoscopic therapies that sit between lifestyle intervention, pharmacological treatment and surgery. These minimally invasive procedures are expanding the options available for carefully selected patients and continue to evolve alongside advances in obesity medicine.

In this episode of Everyday Medicine, I’m joined once again by gastroenterologist Dr Matthew Peverelle to explore the role of Endobariatrics, including who these procedures are suitable for, how they work, and where they fit within contemporary obesity management.

We explore:

– The role of intragastric balloons in weight management

– How endoscopic sleeve gastroplasty compares with other treatment options

– Emerging endoscopic therapies currently under investigation

– Which patients may benefit from these less invasive approaches

If you’re a clinician, or interested in the rapidly evolving field of obesity medicine, this conversation provides a practical overview of where endobariatrics may fit into clinical practice.

🎧 Listen to the episode here: https://www.gihealth.com.au/everyday-medicine-podcast/episode-191-endobariatrics-with-dr-matthew-peverelle

As always, I’d welcome your reflections after listening.

In the preceding episode with Dr Peverelle, we reviewed pharmacologic approaches to obesity management. In this episode, we review an alternative approach to bariatric surgery referred to as Endobariatrics. These are endoscopic interventions sitting between lifestyle-pharmacotherapy and bariatric su

07/07/2026

Can a polyp become cancerous?

In this short video, Dr Ali Eqbal explains why most colon polyps are not cancerous, how some can develop into bowel cancer over time, and why early detection and removal are so important.

Watch the full reel to learn more.

01/07/2026

Healthcare cybersecurity is often framed as a technology problem. In reality, it’s as much a people and systems problem as it is.

A 2025 review by Ewoh and colleagues examined cybersecurity vulnerabilities across healthcare organisations and found that many risks arise from the interaction between technology, human behaviour and organisational processes.

As healthcare becomes increasingly digital, the resilience depends on far more than technology alone. Workforce training, clinical workflows, governance structures, access controls and organisational culture all play a role in how well an organisation can respond to cyber threats.

To explore what this means in practice, I sat down with Dave Vosnakes and Stephanie Way from the Australian Government National Office of Cybersecurity to discuss the growing impact of medical cybercrime, why healthcare remains a high-value target, and how clinicians and healthcare organisations can think more broadly about cyber resilience.

🎧 Listen to the episode here: https://www.gihealth.com.au/everyday-medicine-podcast/episode-189-medical-cybercrime-with-dave-vosnakes-and-stephanie-way

If the conversation adds perspective to your work in general practice or allied health, consider sharing it with a colleague. Good medicine spreads through good conversations.

Read the full article here: https://www.jmir.org/2025/1/e75584

23/06/2026

Obesity is now widely understood as a complex chronic disease, and for many patients, achieving sustained and meaningful weight loss continues to present a significant challenge.

What makes this area particularly compelling is that our understanding of appetite regulation, metabolism and energy balance has advanced considerably over recent decades. As a result, new pharmacological therapies are changing what may be possible for patients living with obesity.

In this episode of Everyday Medicine, I’m joined by gastroenterologist Dr Matthew Peverelle to discuss the science behind modern weight loss medications, including GLP-1 receptor agonists and newer dual incretin therapies, and what clinicians should understand about their benefits, limitations and future potential.

We explore:

– How incretin-based therapies influence appetite, satiety and weight regulation

– The differences between GLP-1 receptor agonists and dual incretin therapies

– The effectiveness, risks and practical challenges of current treatments

– Where obesity pharmacotherapy may be heading in the years ahead

If you’re a clinician, or simply interested in the rapidly evolving field of obesity medicine, this is a fascinating and highly relevant conversation.

🎧 Listen to the episode here: https://www.gihealth.com.au/everyday-medicine-podcast/episode-190-pharmacological-treatments-for-obesity-with-dr-matthew-peverelle

As always, I’d welcome your reflections after listening.

Australians who are either overweight or obese are increasingly turning to pharmacological approaches, coupled with dietary measures, to achieve their weight loss goals before considering bariatric surgery.  These therapies are typically considered for adults whose BMIs are equal to or abo

09/06/2026

What appears to be a minor fracture can sometimes point to a much bigger diagnosis.

In this short snippet, Dr Jeremy Er explains why bone lesions are one of the most common features of multiple myeloma, and how they can present through back pain, fractures or injuries that occur with minimal trauma.

This conversation offers a practical look at the relationship between multiple myeloma and bone disease, and why recognising these patterns can be important for earlier diagnosis and patient care.

🎧 Revisit the full episode on our website: https://www.gihealth.com.au/everyday-medicine-podcast/episode-108-multiple-myeloma-with-dr-jeremy-er

If you found this snippet helpful, consider sharing it with a colleague or patient who may benefit from it.

02/06/2026

Can lifestyle factors increase the risk of developing colon polyps?

In this short video, Dr Ali Eqbal discusses some of the factors that may be associated with a higher risk of polyps, and why risk is not always straightforward.

Watch the full reel to learn more.