'Pill-on-a-thread' mobile cancer testing trialled

John Simpson, 64, was one of the first patients to take the test in a mobile unit in York

A new test designed to detect early signs of cancer is being trialled among heartburn patients in York.

People over the age of 55 were invited to a mobile unit in Acomb, to swallow the "pill-on-a-thread" which could detect early oesophageal cancer.

John Simpson, 64, was keen to take part after suffering with heartburn and a hiatus hernia for eight to 10 years.

He said: "It's a much easier procedure swallowing this capsule than having an endoscopy, so I would encourage anybody suffering with these symptoms to come forward and get it done."

Giving Mr Simpson the procedure was lead nurse Irene Debiram-Beecham, who explained the pill would stay in the stomach for seven minutes.

In that time, the gelatine capsule dissolves and releases a sponge about the size of a cherry tomato.

It is then gently pulled back up the oesophagus, where it can collect cells which go off for testing to be returned within four weeks.

Lead nurse Irene Debiram-Beecham will be giving patients the procedure from a mobile unit in Acomb's Morrisons car park

"There are a lot of patients out there who suffer with long-term acid reflux and heartburn, sometimes that can develop into other conditions such as cancer of the oesophagus," the nurse said.

"Usually those patients when they present to us, they present too late if they've not sought any medical advice."

The trial will find out if the capsule sponge test can detect oesophageal cancers and pre-cancerous conditions like Barrett's oesophagus earlier, and reduce the need for intensive treatments.

Mr Simpson, who is a semi-retired floor layer from Huntington, has previously had an endoscopy.

"I would say this way is definitely easier, it's less of an involvement," he said.

"You've got to go to the hospital to have an endoscopy done, so this mobile unit is brilliant."

Although a little uncomfortable when the sponge was removed, a throat sweet was enough to help the patient recover.

People in York were randomly selected to make appointments in the mobile unit over the next week and in December, Scarborough residents will get the opportunity to take part in the BEST4 screening trial.

Mobile tests are quicker and less expensive than specialist hospital appointments

Richard Young, Consultant Upper GI Surgeon at York and Scarborough Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, said: "Oesophageal cancer is becoming more commonly recognised in the UK.

"Despite advances in treating the disease over recent years, the rate of early diagnosis remains stubbornly low and only one in five people survive this cancer for five years or more.

"To turn the tide against this serious cancer, we need to find those people who are at the greatest risk much earlier than we do now."

Currently, the test for these conditions requires waiting for a specialist hospital appointment for a camera test.

"The new capsule sponge test is much quicker, less expensive and can be delivered in the community," Mr Young said.

"We serve patients across a large geographical and rural environment who could benefit from accessing a safe and effective screening test in their communities."

The trial was funded by Cancer Research UK and the National Institute for Health and Care Research.

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