Latest news with #BarrettsOesophagus
The Independent
10-07-2025
- Health
- The Independent
Simple but vital new cancer test to be trialled in pharmacies
Hundreds of people experiencing persistent heartburn or acid reflux will soon be offered a ' sponge on a string ' test in high-street pharmacies. NHS England is piloting a new way of preventing oesophageal cancer by identifying individuals with a condition called Barrett's oesophagus, which occurs when stomach acid damages the lining of the oesophagus or food pipe. Some cells may grow abnormally and then develop into oesophageal cancer. From early next year, around 1,500 people in London and the East Midlands will participate in these 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 '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 per cent 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. Main symptoms of oesophageal cancer NHS '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.'
The Guardian
09-07-2025
- Health
- The Guardian
NHS pharmacies to pilot ‘sponge on a string' test to spot cancer precursor
Hundreds of people in England are to be offered a 'sponge on a string' test to identify a precursor to one of the deadliest cancers in high-street pharmacies for the first time. Patients with persistent heartburn or acid reflux can take the 'game-changer' tablet-sized capsule that when washed down with a glass of water expands in the stomach. The device is then pulled out using an attached thread, allowing the cells it has gathered to be analysed to see whether someone has Barrett's oesophagus, which raises the risk of developing oesophageal cancer. Oesophageal cancer is on the increase and is closely associated with risk factors such as poor diet, smoking, alcohol consumption and having a hiatus hernia. Mimi McCord, the founder and chair of Heartburn Cancer UK, which is working with NHS England on the pilot scheme, said: 'Oesophageal cancer can be a brutal disease. It hides in plain sight and when it takes hold, it doesn't hang around before it kills. 'Catching it early, or when it's a pre-cancerous condition, is the best chance people have of survival. People who regularly self-medicate often fall below the radar of the GP system. 'Lives will be saved by more people being made aware of the signs and symptoms to look out for and having quick, simple and easily accessible tests in pharmacies.' The pilot is intended to help prevent more cases of oesophageal cancer by finding people with Barrett's. The condition occurs when stomach acid damages the lining of the oesophagus, or food pipe. Some cells may grow abnormally and develop into oesophageal cancer. About 1,500 people in London and the East Midlands will be offered the new 'heartburn health checks' to test for Barrett's oesophagus. The test is already used in hospitals and community diagnostic centres to help reduce the need for invasive endoscopies in Barrett's patients. Pharmacists will work to spot patients who regularly use over-the-counter medicines to ease their heartburn but who have not sought help from their GP. The NHS has worked with Boots and the diagnostics company Cyted Health for the pilot, alongside Heartburn Cancer UK. It will run for two years before potentially being rolled out more widely. Sign up to First Edition Our morning email breaks down the key stories of the day, telling you what's happening and why it matters after newsletter promotion The health service's cancer director, Prof Peter Johnson, 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, meaning early diagnosis is crucial. The 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.'
Telegraph
09-07-2025
- Health
- Telegraph
‘Sponge-on-a-string' cancer test introduced in pharmacies
The NHS is to bring a 'sponge on a string' cancer test to the high street. People with persistent heartburn or acid reflux will be offered checks in pharmacies for the first time. The test, which takes less than 10 minutes, looks for a condition called Barrett's oesophagus, which can be a precursor to oesophageal cancer. Patients are asked to swallow a small pill on a thread, which expands into a penny-sized sponge when it reaches the stomach. After a few minutes, it is safely pulled out to collect cells from the lining of the oesophagus, which are tested for pre-cancerous changes in the lab. Officials said the pilot schemes to offer people tests were part of efforts to help shift care from hospitals to the community under the 10-Year Health Plan launched by the Government and NHS last week. Checks will be offered to patients who are regularly using over-the-counter medications to ease heartburn or reflux symptoms but have not come forward to their GP. The test, currently used in hospitals and community diagnostic centres, aims to spot early changes in the lining of the oesophagus that otherwise may have been missed. It means fewer patients need to go through invasive endoscopies, freeing up appointments for those at high risk of cancer. The partnership between Boots and Cyted Health, a gastrointestinal diagnostics company, means that around 1,500 people in London and the East Midlands will be offered either tests on site or be referred to a community-based clinic in their area from early next year. It will be backed by a public health awareness campaign on the potential signs and symptoms of oesophageal cancer to encourage more people to come forward, in tandem with the charity Heartburn Cancer UK. The pilot will run for two years and the outcomes of an independent evaluation will inform decisions about any future rollout. Prof Peter Johnson, the 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.' Early diagnosis is key to saving lives Gastrooesophageal reflux, also known as acid reflux, is a relatively common condition, affecting around one in five people. The test helps to spot whether heartburn is a sign of a more serious problem. Persistent symptoms can be a sign of Barrett's oesophagus, and early diagnosis is key to saving lives. If pre-cancerous cells are found, treatment can be offered to remove the cells through endoscopy or a procedure known as radiofrequency ablation. However, of the almost 10,000 patients diagnosed with oesophageal cancer in the UK each year, 80 per cent are diagnosed at a late stage, where only 20 per cent survive for a year. Cancer of the oesophagus is more common in older people, and men are more likely to have the cancer compared with women. Smoking, drinking alcohol and obesity are all factors increasing risk of the disease. Marcel Gehrung, the co-founder and CEO of Cyted Health, said: 'Too many people don't realise that persistent heartburn and chronic reflux can be warning signs of something more serious and that lack of awareness is costing lives. 'A capsule sponge test can detect conditions of the oesophagus early, before it's too late. 'We're proud to support this NHS pilot, bringing life-saving testing closer to the community, making it easier for more people to get checked, helping prevent avoidable deaths.'
Daily Mail
09-07-2025
- Health
- Daily Mail
People suffering from heartburn to be offered life-saving cancer check in pharmacies
Heartburn sufferers will be offered a 'sponge on a string' test on the high-street for the first time in a bid to catch the earliest potential signs of a deadly cancer. Patients with persistent heartburn or acid reflux will be eligible to take the test—where they swallow a special pill containing a sponge—in a bid to spot a condition which dramatically increases the risk of developing oesophageal cancer. Oesophageal cancer—which forms in the food pipe—is often caught too late with four out of five patients dying within a year. Now, a new NHS England initiative aims to catch patients with a condition Barrett's oesophagus in a bid to prevent cancer cases from occurring. The pilot—which starts next year—will see 1,500 patients in London and the East Midlands offered a 'heartburn health check' at their high street pharmacy. Pharmacists will specifically look for patients who regularly purchase over-the-counter drugs to ease their heartburn but who may not have seen their GP about it. They will then be offered the sponge on a string test. This sees a patient swallow a small capsule, containing a tiny sponge, attached to a thin string. The capsule then dissolves in the stomach and the sponge within expands to the size of 1p coin. After a few minutes the sponge is pulled up via the string. During this process it collects cells from the food pipe which can then be sent to a lab and tested for Barrett's oesophagus. Barrett's oesophagus occurs when stomach acid rising up into the food pipe—which causes heartburn—damages the tissue inside. In some cases, the damaged tissue may have abnormal changes, which may one day become cancer. Studies have found people with Barrett's oesophagus have an 11-times greater risk of developing oesophageal cancer. While the sponge on a string test has been offered in hospitals and other clinical settings for years, this is the first time it will be offered in a high-street setting. The NHS says if the two-year pilot is successful the initiative could be rolled out to more parts of the country. Professor Peter Johnson, NHS national cancer director, said: '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.' '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 worrying sings are detected patients can have treatments to have the cells removed. Almost 10,000 patients are diagnosed with oesophageal cancer in the UK each year, with four in five diagnosed at a later, harder to treat, stage. The cancer kills almost 8,000 Britons each year, the vast majority with just 12 months of diagnosis. Eddie, aged 77 from Suffolk, says the sponge on a string test may have saved his life after suffering for years with persistent heartburn. 'To think that something as simple as swallowing a capsule could uncover a hidden risk is truly remarkable,' he said. '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. '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.' Before the invention of the sponge on a string test patients suspected of having Barrett's oesophagus had to undergo an endoscopy—where flexible camera is inserted into the mouth and down the food pipe—a far more invasive procedure. In addition to heartburn and indigestion a sore throat—especially when swallowing—is another common sign of the disease. Patients are urged to contact their doctor if they have heartburn for three weeks or more or any other symptoms like problems swallowing or losing weight unexpectedly. While most likely not cancer, an early diagnosis—when the disease is typically easier to treat—can vastly improve outcomes for patients. Data suggest that oesophageal is on the rise in Britain with cases having increased 3 per cent since the 90s overall and 10 per cent in men specifically. Earlier this year figures showed Britain has one of the highest rates of the disease in Europe. The cancer kills 22 patients per day in the UK, one of the highest rates in Europe. Data show the UK has 14.2 new cases of oesophageal cancer per 100,000 people per year. This is quadruple Italy's 3.5 cases per 100,000 people per year, triple Spain's 4.4 and double or almost double France's and Germany rate of 7 and 7.7. Only the Netherlands narrowly beats Britain in Western Europe, sneaking ahead at 14.9 cases.
The Guardian
09-07-2025
- Health
- The Guardian
NHS pharmacies to pilot ‘sponge on a string' test to spot cancer precursor
Hundreds of people in England are to be offered a 'sponge on a string' test to identify a precursor to one of the deadliest cancers in high-street pharmacies for the first time. Patients with persistent heartburn or acid reflux can take the 'game-changer' tablet-sized capsule that when washed down with a glass of water expands in the stomach. The device is then pulled out using an attached thread, allowing the cells it has gathered to be analysed to see whether someone has Barrett's oesophagus, which raises the risk of developing oesophageal cancer. Oesophageal cancer is on the increase and is closely associated with risk factors such as poor diet, smoking, alcohol consumption and having a hiatus hernia. Mimi McCord, the founder and chair of Heartburn Cancer UK, which is working with NHS England on the pilot scheme, said: 'Oesophageal cancer can be a brutal disease. It hides in plain sight and when it takes hold, it doesn't hang around before it kills. 'Catching it early, or when it's a pre-cancerous condition, is the best chance people have of survival. People who regularly self-medicate often fall below the radar of the GP system. 'Lives will be saved by more people being made aware of the signs and symptoms to look out for and having quick, simple and easily accessible tests in pharmacies.' The pilot is intended to help prevent more cases of oesophageal cancer by finding people with Barrett's. The condition occurs when stomach acid damages the lining of the oesophagus, or food pipe. Some cells may grow abnormally and develop into oesophageal cancer. About 1,500 people in London and the East Midlands will be offered the new 'heartburn health checks' to test for Barrett's oesophagus. The test is already used in hospitals and community diagnostic centres to help reduce the need for invasive endoscopies in Barrett's patients. Pharmacists will work to spot patients who regularly use over-the-counter medicines to ease their heartburn but who have not sought help from their GP. The NHS has worked with Boots and the diagnostics company Cyted Health for the pilot, alongside Heartburn Cancer UK. It will run for two years before potentially being rolled out more widely. Sign up to First Edition Our morning email breaks down the key stories of the day, telling you what's happening and why it matters after newsletter promotion The health service's cancer director, Prof Peter Johnson, 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, meaning early diagnosis is crucial. The 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.'
