Latest news with #HeartburnCancerUK
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.'
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.'
Powys County Times
13-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Powys County Times
Man v Horse inspiring stories as people descend on Llanwrtyd
PEOPLE entering the iconic Man vs Horse race this year have been sharing their inspiring stories and lengthy journeys taken in order to get to Powys for this weekend's event. The race is an iconic appointment in the Powys social and sporting calendar, where man (or woman) faces beast across a gruelling course set in the hills and forests surrounding the quirky town of Llanwrtyd Wells. This year's race, the 44th instalment of the Whole Earth Man vs Horse, takes place tomorrow (Saturday, June 14), and in the lead-up to it, organisers this week asked competitors to share their reasons for running, or riding, which drew some heart-warming responses. 'I am doing this because a car ran over my leg in 2021 and (I) couldn't run for 2 years,' said Jane Bradshaw. 'I am so grateful to have been able to train for such an event, which I never thought I could do.' Daniel Andrew said: 'It's my wife's birthday on June 14, Catherine Bashford. She was meant to run 2 years ago but found out she was pregnant so I stepped in for her.' Oliver Leahy revealed he will be making his way to Mid Wales from Cork, in Ireland, a journey of around 270 miles, which will likely involve a ferry and travelling time of at least 8 hours. 'I was 50 a few weeks ago and (it's) great to be able to do this iconic event. Can't wait,' he said. Both Simon Coombes and Jane Malone are running Saturday's race for charity. Simon is raising money for Ty Hafan children's hospice, while Jane is running in memory of her stepfather Bill, and raising money and awareness of the early signs of oesophageal cancer, with proceeds going to Heartburn Cancer UK. Rider Jayne Lapping is entering the famous event for the first time, aged 61, taking part on her 12-year-old horse Duke. Siobhan Lord said: 'I became seriously ill in February and am still receiving treatment. I decided Man v Horse was my goal even if we come in last. 'I will have my best friend by my side, who is coming from France to take part for the second time.' With the weather prescribing a mixture of rain and sunny spells, this year's race is looking likely to favour the horse, although humans have triumphed in two of the last three years, with Daniel Connolly and Ricky Lightfoot victorious in both 2023 and 2022 respectively. They joined esteemed company, with Huw Lobb (2004) and Florian Holzinger (2007) the only two-legged entrants to beat their four-legged friends since the first Man v Horse event took place in 1980. The event has grown massively over the years, with roughly 1,200 runners participating now, via a mix of individuals taking on the whole course themselves and 3-person relay teams. They will take on 60 horses plus their riders. The course and therefore the distance varies slightly every year, with the 2025 route reported to be around 22 miles. 2025 will see the introduction new innovations. There will be a cash prize of £250 for the first horse and rider to cross the finishing line and pass the subsequent vet check. Also, the event will be going cup-less this year, so competitors will need to carry a collapsible cup, if they are not carrying their own hydration vest, in order to take in water at the feed stations. Man vs Horse starts from the town square in Llanwrtyd at 11am on Saturday, with the horses setting off at 11.15am. Visit the Man vs Horse Community Facebook page for more information or visit organisers Green Events' website, at
