"Cancer of the oesophagus is a killer that can hide in plain sight"
A charity is urging for the widespread adoption of a "pill-on-a-thread" sponge test that has the potential to halve oesophageal cancer deaths in the UK. The test, previously known as cytosponge, releases a sponge that collects cells from the oesophagus during retrieval. It quickly detects Barrett's oesophagus, a condition that can lead to cancer and is often caused by heartburn. Heartburn Cancer UK is calling for the test to be made widely available, as people are dying while waiting for its rollout.
Symptoms often go unnoticed until the disease is advanced
Oesophageal cancer affects around 9,200 people in Britain each year, resulting in 8,000 deaths. Symptoms, including difficulty swallowing, vomiting, heartburn, acid reflux, and indigestion, often go unnoticed until the disease has progressed significantly. The current test for oesophageal cancer is a gastroscopy, which involves inserting a camera down the throat. Early detection is crucial, as the disease has a five-year survival rate of less than 20%, compared to 55% when detected at stage one.
Widow's mission to raise awareness
Mimi McCord, founder and chairman of Heartburn Cancer UK, established the charity after losing her husband to oesophageal cancer. McCord's husband had been experiencing heartburn three or four times a week, which was treated with antacids. However, the underlying cancer went undetected until it was too late. McCord believes that if the sponge test had been available at the time, her husband's life could have been saved.
Potential for early detection and improved survival rates
The capsule sponge test, developed by Cyted, has shown promise in detecting more cases of Barrett's oesophagus compared to routine GP care. Currently, the test is offered only to higher-risk patients as part of NHS pilot schemes. However, positive results from these trials could lead to wider adoption of the test. Cancer Research UK is working on the BEST4 trial, in collaboration with the National Institute for Health and Care Research, to explore the sponge test's impact on reducing deaths from oesophageal cancer. If successful, the test could be rolled out across the UK.
Importance of better diagnostic tools for oesophageal cancer
Dr Lyndsy Ambler from Cancer Research UK emphasizes the need for improved tools and tests to diagnose oesophageal cancer and identify high-risk individuals. Endoscopy, the current gold standard for diagnosis, is labor-intensive. The capsule sponge test has emerged as an exciting early detection tool, showing promise in reducing backlogs for endoscopy caused by the pandemic. The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (Nice) is closely monitoring ongoing trials to assess the clinical and cost effectiveness of the sponge test.
Overall, the widespread adoption of the capsule sponge test has the potential to revolutionize the diagnosis and treatment of oesophageal cancer, ultimately saving lives. With greater awareness and access to this innovative solution, more lives can be spared from this deadly disease.
