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The NHS should bring a cancer test “sponge on a string” into the main street.
People with persistent heartburn or acid reflux are offered for the first time in Scheck’s pharmacies.
The test, which lasts less than 10 minutes, is looking for an illness called Barrett’s esophagus that can be a forerunner for esophageal cancer.
The patients are asked to swallow a small pill on a thread that extends into a penny size when they reach the stomach.
After a few minutes it is pulled out to collect cells from the lining of the esophagus, which are tested for pre -cancer -like changes in the laboratory.
Officials said that the pilot programs to offer tests were part of the efforts to move the care of hospitals to the municipality as part of the 10-year health plan launched by the government and NHS.
Patients who regularly use over -the -counter drugs to relieve heartburn or reflux symptoms will get to their family doctor.
The test, which is currently used in hospitals and in the municipality, aims to recognize changes in the lining of the esophagus at an early stage, which may otherwise have been overlooked.
This means that fewer patients have to go through invasive endoscopies and free appointments for those who have a high risk of cancer.
The partnership between boots and cyted health, a gastrointestinal diagnostic company, means that around 1,500 people in London and the East Midlands will either be offered on site or transferred to a community -based clinic in their area.
It is supported by a campaign to raise awareness of public health via the potential signs and symptoms of speaker cancer in order to encourage more people to get together, together with the Charity Heartburn Cancer UK.
The pilot will run for two years and the results of an independent assessment will influence decisions about the future rollout.
Prof. Peter Johnson, the NHS National Cancer Director, said: “The NHS captures more cancer earlier than ever, and this new pilot brings a comfortable test where people shop, and makes it easier for patients to check signs and symptoms that may worry.
“For the majority of people with persistent reflux, these fast and simple health checks for heartburn are reassured that they have no increased risk of cancer, and for those who find that they have barretts esophagus, regular post-observation tests are carried out so that all further cell changes can be discovered early.”
Early diagnosis is the key to saving life
Gastroesophageal reflux, also known as Saurer reflux, is a relatively common illness that has an impact on one of five people.
The test helps to recognize whether heartburn are a sign of a more serious problem. Persistent symptoms can be a sign of Barrett’s esophagus, and early diagnosis is the key to saving life.
If pre -cancer -like cells are found, treatment can be offered to remove the cells by endoscopy or a method referred to as high frequency.
Of the almost 10,000 patients who were diagnosed every year in Great Britain every year, 80 percent are diagnosed at a late stage, where only 20 percent survive for a year.
Cancer of the esophagus is more common in older people, and men have cancer more often compared to women. Smoking, alcohol and obesity are all factors that increase the risk of the disease.
Marcel Geunze, co -founder and CEO of Cyted Health, said: “Too many people do not recognize that persistent heartburn and chronic reflux signs with something more serious and that the lack of consciousness costs.
“A capsule sponge test can recognize the conditions of the esophagus early before it is too late.
“We are proud to support these NHS pilots, to bring life-saving tests closer to the community and to make it easier for more people to be checked and prevent avoidable deaths.”
