A colorectal cancer diagnosis can force life-changing decisions fast—including ones about future family-building. In this episode of Gut Check, the hosts are joined by Dr. Arielle Kanters and Dr. Valery Vilchez, co-chairs of the ASCRS Women's Task Force, to discuss when fertility preservation should enter the treatment conversation, how surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation affect fertility differently in men and women, and the barriers many patients face when navigating these options. A practical, timely conversation on balancing cancer care with long-term quality of life.

In this special live-recorded episode of Gut Check, your favorite hosts return to the mic from the ASCRS Annual Meeting in Tampa. Recorded in front of a live audience, the conversation captures candid reactions, audience questions, memorable moments from this year's meeting, and the topics everyone was talking about throughout the week.

From standout sessions and unexpected takeaways to personal reflections and a few fun detours along the way, this episode brings the energy of the annual meeting straight to your headphones. Whether you joined us in Tampa or are catching up from home, tune in for a behind-the-scenes look at this year's meeting and the conversations that continued long after the sessions ended.

In this episode of Gut Check, we explore how professional trajectories in colorectal surgery can differ for men and women—and what that means for the future of the field. Hosts Meghana and Biddy are joined by Dr. Jackie Turner and Dr. Melissa Chang of the ASCRS Women's Task Force for a candid conversation on career advancement, mentorship, and leadership.

Together, they unpack the nuances between mentorship and sponsorship, examine where gaps still exist in areas like compensation, research opportunities, and visibility, and discuss how family planning and caregiving responsibilities can shape career paths. Whether you're a trainee, early-career surgeon, or established leader, this episode offers valuable insights into fostering equity and advancing careers in colorectal surgery.

Don't miss the opportunity to continue this conversation at the 2026 ASCRS Annual Scientific Meeting in Tampa, Florida from May 9-12th.