‘Sponge on a string’ cancer test launches at GP practices
Date posted: 26th September 2022
A new ‘sponge on a string’ test is helping to detect oesophageal cancers in people living across Lancashire and South Cumbria.
Clinics have been set up at GP practices across the region to pilot the innovative new test, called Cytosponge, which involves the patient swallowing a capsule attached to a string. The capsule dissolves after a few minutes to release a sponge that gathers oesophagus cells for analysis after it is removed.
Eighty-three-year-old David Hamer, of Haslingden Road in Rawtenstall, had the procedure this week at Oswald Medical Centre in Blackburn Road, Accrington.
The local history enthusiast, who is a member of Rossendale Civic Society, was diagnosed a few years ago with a medical condition called Barrett’s oesophagus, which causes abnormal cell growth and can potentially lead to cancer, which is why he was referred for a Cytosponge test.
He said: “Having the Cytosponge was absolutely fine. I had no problems whatsoever and it was certainly a lot more pleasant than the old-fashioned endoscopy.
“I was given plenty of information in advance so I knew exactly what was going to happen and all the staff were excellent.”
Kathryn Taylor-Bates, practice nurse at Oswald Medical Centre, carried out Mr Hamer’s Cytosponge procedure.
Describing it, she said: “We get the patient to swallow the device while it is connected to the string and then wait seven-and-a-half minutes. Once that time is up we pull on the string to remove the device from the patient’s stomach because by then it should have turned into a sponge which collects the cells on the way up the oesophagus.
“This is a much quicker and easier procedure that can be done in the GP surgery, rather than an endoscopy in hospital. Also with an endoscopy they collect biopsies from four places, whereas with the Cytosponge we collect cells from the whole of the oesophagus so we are potentially collecting more cells which can then be tested.”
The test is offered to people on endoscopy waiting lists who have conditions placing them at higher risk of developing oesophageal cancer, such as Barrett’s oesophagus. It is minimally invasive and generally more comfortable, needs no sedation and can be delivered in a nurse-led clinic in about 15 minutes.
By contrast, an endoscopy requires a team of specialists in hospital and can take several hours of preparation.
Dr Neil Smith, GP clinical lead for Lancashire and South Cumbria, said: “Identifying the 80 to 85 per cent of patients who don’t have cancerous symptoms means giving them peace of mind and avoiding unnecessary hospital visits. At the same time, we can make sure the 15 to 20 per cent of patients who should attend hospital for endoscopy are going on to much shorter waiting lists.”
The Lancashire and South Cumbria Cancer Alliance worked with partners including the Innovation Agency to secure £500,000 from the Small Business Research Initiative Healthcare fund earlier this year to introduce Cytosponge into the community via GP practices.
Cytosponge was developed by global healthcare technology company Medtronic and Cambridge diagnostics specialists Cyted.