‘Sponge on a string' cancer test to be available in high-street pharmacies
NHS England is piloting a new way of preventing oesophageal cancer by looking for people with a condition called Barrett's oesophagus.
This occurs when stomach acid damages the lining of the oesophagus (the food pipe). Some cells may grow abnormally and develop into oesophageal cancer.
In the pilot, from early next year, around 1,500 people in London and the East Midlands will be offered the new 'heartburn health checks' to test for Barrett's oesophagus.
During the test, the patient swallows a small capsule attached to a string.
The capsule dissolves in the stomach and leaves a small sponge about the size of a 1p coin.
The sponge is then pulled out via the string by NHS staff after a few minutes, during which time it collects cells from the oesophageal lining for analysis in the lab.
This test is already used in hospitals and community diagnostic centres to help reduce the need for invasive endoscopies in Barrett's patients.
During the pilot, pharmacists will work to spot patients who are regularly using over-the-counter medicines to ease their heartburn but who have not sought help from their GP.
The pilot will run for two years before potentially being rolled out more widely.
Professor Peter Johnson, NHS national cancer director, said: 'The NHS is catching more cancers earlier than ever before, and this new pilot brings a convenient test to where people shop, making it easier than ever for patients to check signs and symptoms that might be worrying them.
'For the majority of people with persistent reflux, these quick and easy heartburn health checks will provide peace of mind that you aren't at increased risk of cancer, and for those who do find out they have Barrett's oesophagus, regular follow-up checks will be put in place so any further cell changes can be spotted early.'
If pre-cancerous cells are found, treatment can be offered to remove the cells through endoscopy or a procedure known as radiofrequency ablation.
Of almost 10,000 patients diagnosed with oesophageal cancer in the UK each year, 80% are diagnosed at a late stage.
Only one in five people survive a year, meaning early diagnosis is crucial.
Eddie, aged 77 from Suffolk, says the test may have saved his life after years of persistent heartburn.
He said: 'It used to wake me up at night, but I always thought it was just one of those things.
'To think that something as simple as swallowing a capsule could uncover a hidden risk is truly remarkable.
'The test was quick, straightforward, and completely changed how I think about my health.
'Knowing I have Barrett's oesophagus meant I was prioritised, my condition was monitored, and as a result my dysplasia (cell changes) was caught early.
'I am now able to get targeted treatment to stop my condition progressing to cancer, rather than finding out when it's too late.
'This never would have been caught if it wasn't for capsule sponge testing. This test gave me peace of mind and access to early treatment and could mean the difference between life and death for so many others.'
The NHS has partnered with Boots and diagnostics company Cyted Health for the pilot, alongside Heartburn Cancer UK.
Public health minister Ashley Dalton said: 'Last week, as part of our 10-year health plan, we promised a neighbourhood health service – convenient care nearer to where people live.
'Today's announcement is a fantastic example of the life-saving potential of healthcare on your high street.
'Being able to spot the warning signs using a 10-minute test in a local pharmacy – before cancer has even taken hold – will be a game-changer.
'As part of our Plan for Change to tackle the biggest killers, this government is committed to back innovation and make our NHS fit for the future to drive up this country's cancer survival rates.'
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Medscape
20 minutes ago
- Medscape
AMR Isn't Just Coming but Already Undermining Your Practice
Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is one of the most urgent public health challenges in 2025. This phenomenon occurs when microorganisms such as bacteria, viruses, fungi, and parasites evolve resistance to drugs that were once effective. According to the CDC's 2025 report, AMR could lead to as many as 10 million deaths annually by 2050, overtaking major diseases like cancer. AMR stems from the natural evolutionary ability of microbes to survive selective pressure from antimicrobials. This process is significantly accelerated by the overuse and misuse of these drugs in human health, veterinary medicine, and agriculture. Resistant infections often require longer treatment courses, are associated with increased disability and mortality, and lead to extended hospital stays and higher healthcare costs — placing a growing burden on health systems and global economies. The CDC estimates at least 2.8 million resistant infections and over 35,000 related deaths annually in the US alone. Resistance Mechanisms AMR typically arises through two primary mechanisms: spontaneous genetic mutations and horizontal gene transfer (via conjugation, transformation, or transduction). Recent findings outline several well-characterized resistance pathways: Target modification: Structural alterations in drug targets — often key proteins or cell components — can prevent effective drug binding. Enzyme production: Certain bacteria produce enzymes such as beta-lactamases that deactivate antibiotics like penicillins and cephalosporins. These enzymes are increasingly common in gram-negative species such as Escherichia coli and Klebsiella pneumoniae . and . Efflux pumps and permeability barriers: Some bacteria limit drug entry or actively expel antibiotics using multidrug efflux pumps. This is particularly problematic in gram-negative organisms due to their additional outer membrane. These resistance mechanisms can coexist within a single organism, giving rise to 'pan-resistant' strains that are unaffected by nearly all available antimicrobial agents. Resistance can emerge rapidly — even during the course of treatment — turning previously susceptible infections resistant mid-therapy and narrowing treatment options dramatically. Recent Trends and Global Data New international data highlight the accelerating spread of AMR, with particularly concerning developments across both bacterial and fungal pathogens. The World Health Organization (WHO)'s 2024 Bacterial Priority Pathogens List documented rising resistance rates in K pneumoniae and E coli , especially in Asia and Africa — regions where therapeutic options remain severely limited. These findings align with projections from a 2024 commentary published in The Lancet , which estimates that AMR could cause up to 10 million deaths annually by 2050, disproportionately affecting low- and middle-income countries. In the US, the CDC reported that more than 35% of hospital-acquired urinary tract infections in 2024 were caused by multidrug-resistant (MDR) organisms. This surge is driven in large part by the horizontal transmission of resistance genes via mobile genetic elements such as plasmids and transposons. MDR tuberculosis also continues to pose a serious global health threat. Data from Eastern Europe and parts of Asia show that over 20% of new tuberculosis cases now involve MDR strains. These cases require longer, more toxic regimens and are associated with poorer clinical outcomes, adding further strain to public health systems. Fungal resistance is emerging as a parallel crisis. A recent review reported that more than 90% of Candida auris isolates collected from hospitals in Europe and North America were resistant to multiple antifungal agents. This poses a serious risk to patients who are immunocompromised and critically ill, particularly in ICUs where infection control remains challenging. Despite the growing threat, treatment pipelines remain thin. While several new antimicrobial agents are under investigation, most remain in preclinical or early clinical stages. The report underscores an urgent need for sustained investment in antimicrobial drug development to replenish a shrinking therapeutic arsenal. Adding to the concern, recent studies describe the emergence of novel resistance mechanisms in gram-positive pathogens such as methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus . Some strains have developed traits that compromise the efficacy of even newly approved agents — further complicating treatment strategies and escalating costs of care. As AMR continues to evolve across multiple fronts, these findings reinforce the need for comprehensive, coordinated strategies to monitor resistance patterns; support antimicrobial stewardship; and accelerate therapeutic innovation. Economic Toll The global economic impact of AMR could be staggering. The 2024 Lancet commentary projects that AMR could result in up to $100 trillion in economic losses by 2050. The burden is expected to fall disproportionately on low- and middle-income countries, where weaker health systems and limited access to effective therapies could exacerbate existing disparities in both health outcomes and economic development. Clinical consequences are already evident in hospitals around the world. Recent research shows that resistant healthcare-associated infections — such as bloodstream infections and ventilator-associated pneumonias — are associated with mortality rates approaching 30% higher in patients in resource-limited settings. Contributing factors include poor hospital infrastructure, limited access to diagnostics and therapeutics, and inadequate infection control measures. Meanwhile, a 2024 review highlights the growing threat of hospital-acquired infections caused by Acinetobacter baumannii and Pseudomonas aeruginosa — both of which exhibit high levels of resistance to multiple antibiotic classes. Without effective interventions, these infections may become increasingly difficult, if not impossible, to treat, further driving up hospital mortality and straining intensive care resources. Emerging Strategies and Solutions Several promising strategies are being explored to slow AMR progression and strengthen the clinical response. Development of new antimicrobials: Recent research highlights novel compounds designed to overcome common resistance mechanisms. While early in development, these agents may offer new hope against multidrug-resistant pathogens. Alternative therapies: Early-phase studies suggest that bacteriophage therapy and antibacterial nanoparticles could serve as complementary approaches to combat infections that no longer respond to conventional treatments. These technologies are gaining traction but require rigorous clinical validation. Antimicrobial stewardship and surveillance: Effective stewardship programs remain central to the AMR response. Core components include the rational prescribing of antimicrobials, real-time infection surveillance, and access to rapid diagnostic tools for antimicrobial susceptibility testing. Education and global awareness: The WHO and CDC continue to emphasize the need for coordinated global education campaigns to promote the appropriate use of antimicrobials and curb self-medication — particularly in countries with weak regulatory oversight. National initiatives: In Spain, the 2025-2027 Plan Nacional frente a la Resistencia a los Antibióticos (National Plan against Antibiotic Resistance) stands out as a model. The plan includes enhanced epidemiologic surveillance, increased funding for antimicrobial research, ongoing training for healthcare providers, and public education campaigns. It also calls for integrated action across all levels of the health system to ensure a coordinated national response. Conclusions AMR is no longer a looming threat — it is a present-day global health emergency. Its continued spread is undermining the foundations of modern medicine, with far-reaching consequences for clinical care, public health, and global equity. As resistance mechanisms become increasingly complex and widespread, the therapeutic arsenal is shrinking — particularly in hospital settings and for vulnerable populations. Meanwhile, antibiotic development continues to lag, with most new agents stalled in early-phase research. To avoid a future where routine infections become untreatable, the global response must be ambitious and coordinated. Expanding antimicrobial stewardship, accelerating drug development through sustained investment, and enforcing rational prescribing practices are all urgent priorities. These efforts must be anchored in the One Health approach, which recognizes the interconnectedness of human, animal, and environmental health. Education and behavior change are equally essential. Clinicians, patients, and policymakers all play a role in preserving the effectiveness of existing antimicrobials. And while emerging therapies such as phage therapy, nanomedicine, and immunomodulation offer hope, they require rigorous testing and clear regulatory pathways before they can be integrated into clinical practice. The window for action is narrowing — but meaningful progress is still possible. With global alignment, scientific innovation, and sustained commitment, the trajectory of AMR can be reversed.
Washington Post
44 minutes ago
- Washington Post
UN says if US funding for HIV programs is not replaced, millions more will die by 2029
LONDON — Years of American-led investment into AIDS programs has reduced the number of people killed by the disease to the lowest levels seen in more than three decades, and provided life-saving medicines for some of the world's most vulnerable. But in the last six months, the sudden withdrawal of U.S. money has caused a 'systemic shock,' U.N. officials warned, adding that if the funding isn't replaced, it could lead to more than 4 million AIDS-related deaths and 6 million more HIV infections by 2029.
Yahoo
an hour ago
- Yahoo
UN says if US funding for HIV programs is not replaced, millions more will die by 2029
LONDON (AP) — Years of American-led investment into AIDS programs has reduced the number of people killed by the disease to the lowest levels seen in more than three decades, and provided life-saving medicines for some of the world's most vulnerable. But in the last six months, the sudden withdrawal of U.S. money has caused a 'systemic shock,' U.N. officials warned, adding that if the funding isn't replaced, it could lead to more than 4 million AIDS-related deaths and 6 million more HIV infections by 2029. 'The current wave of funding losses has already destabilized supply chains, led to the closure of health facilities, left thousands of health clinics without staff, set back prevention programs, disrupted HIV testing efforts and forced many community organizations to reduce or halt their HIV activities,' UNAIDS said in a report released Thursday. UNAIDS also said that it feared other major donors might also scale back their support, reversing decades of progress against AIDS worldwide — and that the strong multilateral cooperation is in jeopardy because of wars, geopolitical shifts and climate change. The $4 billion that the United States pledged for the global HIV response for 2025 disappeared virtually overnight in January when U.S. President Donald Trump ordered that all foreign aid be suspended and later moved to shutter the U.S. AID agency. Andrew Hill, an HIV expert at the University of Liverpool who is not connected to the United Nations, said that while Trump is entitled to spend U.S. money as he sees fit, 'any responsible government would have given advance warning so countries could plan,' instead of stranding patients in Africa when clinics were closed overnight. The U.S. President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief, or PEPFAR, was launched in 2003 by U.S. President George W. Bush, the biggest-ever commitment by any country focused on a single disease. UNAIDS called the program a 'lifeline' for countries with high HIV rates, and said that it supported testing for 84.1 million people, treatment for 20.6 million, among other initiatives. According to data from Nigeria, PEPFAR also funded 99.9% of the country's budget for medicines taken to prevent HIV. In 2024, there were about 630,000 AIDS-related deaths worldwide, per a UNAIDS estimate — the figure has remained about the same since 2022 after peaking at about 2 million deaths in 2004. Even before the U.S. funding cuts, progress against curbing HIV was uneven. UNAIDS said that half of all new infections are in sub-Saharan Africa and that more than 50% of all people who need treatment but aren't getting it are in Africa and Asia. Tom Ellman, of the charity Doctors Without Borders, said that while some poorer countries were now moving to fund more of their own HIV programs, it would be impossible to fill the gap left by the U.S. 'There's nothing we can do that will protect these countries from the sudden, vicious withdrawal of support from the U.S.,' said Ellman, director of Doctors Without Borders' South Africa Medical Unit. 'Within months of losing treatment, people will start to get very sick and we risk seeing a massive rise in infection and death.' Experts also fear another loss: data. The U.S. paid for most HIV surveillance in African countries, including hospital, patient and electronic records, all of which has now abruptly ceased, according to Dr. Chris Beyrer, director of the Global Health Institute at Duke University. 'Without reliable data about how HIV is spreading, it will be incredibly hard to stop it,' he said. The uncertainty comes as a twice-yearly injectable could end HIV, as studies published last year showed that the drug from pharmaceutical maker Gilead was 100% effective in preventing the virus. Last month, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved the drug, called Sunleca — a move that should have been a 'threshold moment' for stopping the AIDS epidemic, said Peter Maybarduk of the advocacy group Public Citizen. But activists like Maybarduk said Gilead's pricing will put it out of reach of many countries that need it. Gilead has agreed to sell generic versions of the drug in 120 poor countries with high HIV rates but has excluded nearly all of Latin America, where rates are far lower but increasing. 'We could be ending AIDS," Maybarduk said. "Instead, the U.S. is abandoning the fight.' ___ The Associated Press Health and Science Department receives support from the Howard Hughes Medical Institute's Department of Science Education and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. The AP receives financial support for global health and development coverage in Africa from the Gates Foundation. The AP is solely responsible for all content. Find AP's standards for working with philanthropies, a list of supporters and funded coverage areas at Maria Cheng, The Associated Press
