Using AI to Detect Cancer Early and Improve Survival Rates

Colon Cancer is the third most common cancer in both men and women. In short, if caught early, 90% of patients will beat colon cancer. At Perham Health, we’re committed to using advanced technology to improve our patients’ standard of care. That’s why we’re using GI Genius by Medtronic, an AI-powered tool designed to help detect cancerous polyps during colonoscopies.

What is GI Genius?

GI Genius uses AI trained on a database of over 13 million images of cancerous polyps to detect colon abnormalities. As a colonoscopy is being performed, GI Genius scans the video feed of the patient’s colon in real-time and highlights suspicious areas—typically consistent with polyps—by displaying a green box on the monitor.

“It essentially functions like an extra set of eyes,” says general surgeon Dr. Bob Steininger. “GI Genius may flag something we already noticed, but it might also bring our attention to something we would’ve otherwise missed. This technology doesn’t replace our judgment, but it enhances it. It only has a potential positive for detecting additional polyps.”

Enhancing Detection Without Changing the Experience

One of GI Genius’s most significant advantages is that it does not alter the patient experience or extend the length of the procedure. Overall, the instruments, process, and care team remain the same.

“There’s no impact on patient care or how the colonoscopy is done,” Dr. Steininger notes. “It just pops up on the screen like a suggestion—’Hey, maybe look at this place again.’ It doesn’t add time to the procedure or change our approach.”

Aiding Early Detection for Better Outcomes

The primary goal of using GI Genius is to increase the number of precancerous polyps found during colonoscopy, which reduces the risk of colon cancer.

“As providers, our role is to detect these polyps early, and GI Genius helps us do that more effectively,” Dr. Steininger explains. “More accurate screening and closer monitoring lead to better preventative care.”

Innovation Rooted in Community Care

A shared focus on innovation and community-centered care drove the decision to bring GI Genius to Perham Health. “We first encountered this technology at a surgical conference tailored toward rural hospitals,” Dr. Steininger recalls. “We’re always looking at ways to improve care,” Dr. Steininger says. “GI Genius is one of those ways.”

Protecting Patient Privacy

It’s important to know that images captured during a patient’s colonoscopy remain private. They are not uploaded or shared with GI Genius’s developers.

A Technological Partner in Prevention

GI Genius doesn’t replace the skills of a trained surgeon—it enhances them. As Dr. Steininger puts it, “It’s like having another doctor in the room, helping to spot the subtle things that could easily go unnoticed. And anything that helps us catch even one more polyp is worth it.”

At Perham Health, we invest in technology that empowers our providers and supports our patients. Thus, GI Genius is just one example of how we’re staying on the leading edge of innovation to bring better outcomes to the communities we serve.