Tests that can detect esophageal cancer earlier than current methods should be made more widely available to prevent deaths, the charity says.
The capsule sponge test, formerly known as a cytosponge, requires the patient to swallow a dissolvable tablet attached to a string. The tablet then releases a sponge that collects cells from the esophagus as it is removed.
This test can detect abnormalities that form as part of a condition known as Barrett's esophagus, which increases the chance of developing esophageal cancer.
According to Cancer Research, 9,300 people are diagnosed with esophageal cancer each year in the UK. The disease is difficult to detect until the cancer is advanced because cancer symptoms are not easily recognized and can be mistaken for indigestion.
The 10-year survival rate for this disease is 12%, but if the cancer is detected early at stage 1, survival increases to 55%.
Capsule sponge testing can detect cancer earlier than current methods such as endoscopy, which are used to diagnose esophageal cancer. However, it is currently only available to high-risk patients as an alternative to endoscopy as part of an NHS pilot.
Cancer Research UK is working with the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NIHR) on a 120,000-person trial to see if the capsule sponge test can reduce deaths from esophageal cancer. Masu. If successful, the test could be rolled out more widely.
Mimi McCord, founder of the Heartburn Cancer Society UK, who lost her husband Mike to esophageal cancer in 2002, said: Although people don't always realize it, not all heartburn is harmless. They continue to treat the symptoms, but the root cause may be killing them. ”
The charity is calling for more widespread use of the capsule sponge test to ensure patients are diagnosed early and have a better chance of survival. “We have a test. We know it works. People are dying while we wait for it to be widely available,” McCord said.
Dr Lindsay Ambler, Senior Strategic Evidence Manager at Cancer Research UK, said: “About 59% of all esophageal cancer cases are preventable. However, endoscopy, the gold standard for diagnosing this cancer, is labor-intensive.
“We need better tools and tests to diagnose esophageal cancer and to identify and monitor those most at risk.
After newsletter promotion
“We are already making changes to pilots within the NHS in England, Scotland and Wales to reduce the endoscopy backlog due to the pandemic.”
A spokesperson for the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (Nice) said: 'Our guidelines committee has identified Cytosponge as a tool that could potentially benefit the NHS in the diagnosis of dysplasia and cancer, but the evidence does not “The quality was not sufficient to support its use.” at present.
“We are aware of two ongoing clinical trials that we hope will provide the evidence needed to fully evaluate the clinical and cost-effectiveness of this potentially useful tool. ”
