09-07-2025
‘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.'
