Cytosponge: A ‘sponge on a string’ test to detect oesophageal cancer earlier

‘A simple but much needed method of checking for Oesophageal cancer , May help my son , who has had ‘reflux’ for some time.

Very interesting and clever.

I wish this could have been around 20 years ago.my mother died of this horrible Cancer.
The Dr said she was suffering from anxiety! ! As she was choking on her food..? It was a visit to the DENTIST that set alarms off and at last a biopsy..she died 3 months later..
I cried when I read about this simple test that will save many lives.thank God for the team.

I was so pleased to read about this research, endoscopies can be so unpleasant & this seems such a fantastic innovation in the diagnosis of Barrett’s & in some cases early stage oesophageal cancer. As a survivor of late Stage 3 oesophageal cancer who had to have chemo, radiotherapy & an oesophagectomy, anything that detects it earlier and less invasively is clearly a game changer. CRUK do fantastic things & without the life saving research you do, so many of us would certainly not be here. Thank you!

I think what you are doing at cancer research is amazing and I would love to give thousand at this moment in time I can afford to donate £10.00 and hope the year 2021 will be much better.
Thank you all for your hard work and consistent quest to find cures and save lives
M

I have just been invited to have it as an alternative to regular, unpleasant gastroscopies. Can’t wait!

Very interesting to hear of this innovative approach to diagnosis of oesophageal issues.
More please.

I find this all very interesting. My brother had Barrett’s diagnosed years ago. My Barretts 2cm 2016, 3cm sliding hiatus hernia 2013. Maybe Barrett’s all along. I always thought it a coincidence that both my brother and I had been diagnosed. Neither of us overweight and fit for our ages. Currently I have an endoscopy every three years. My brother had an operation in Kent possibly as early as 2005? Always keen to read any new information and concerned for our sons and their children.

very interesting; happy to learn what else is on the cutting edge

There are so many different types of cancer, it must be a nightmare trying to concentrate on just a few. But cancer research are there at the forefront, thank you!

So nice to hear positives, in the very present concerning period, is this method being considered for Colon and other cancers? such a simple very clever idea.

Wished this was done for my loved one. Was not even referred by GP although complained of Hoarseness in his voice on and off etc. He took himself to the hospital and got diagnosed

This sounds great, my mother died of this cancer and her doctor didn’t take things seriously until she couldn’t swallow food( she had been going to the surgery for months complaining of heartburn) if this had been around in 2005 she may not have died.

I think the research scientists involved in this work and all work related to finding a cure for cancers are amazing: I think Cancer Research UK do a fantastic job despite not receiving Government funding. It makes you proud to be British.

Having endured a number of endoscopies over the years (I was diagoned with Barrett’s oesophagus a number of years ago), I find this is an amazing innovation for detecting oesophagal cancer.. Because it is non-invasive and easy to carry out more people will feel confortable having this procedure done to an endoscopy which can carry a minor risk. I congratulate the research scientists who developed this technique.

That is fantastic progress in detecting oesophagal cancer

Amazing. Certainly made
me more aware.

Brilliant progress
So user friendly

marvellous.my son aged 22, died from this cancer after 4 months treatment.I was sitting by him in hospital when he passed away.however he had the type of cancer called Signet ring.is there a cure for this? Keep up your good work.THANKYOU

Brilliant news, can you tell me please will this also be available in Scotland?

This sounds like a really positive step forward. I was diagnosed with oesophageal cancer ,which had spread to my stomach , last September and endured months of chemo and major surgery , which was thankfully successful , so if this test can help people avoid that horrendous process then I am very pleased.

I agree with all the responses below, this needs to be out there for all asap

I think this is brilliant my mother died of oesophageal cancer 10 years ago and I suffer from acid reflux and have done for many years, hope it soon becomes standard practice.

What a brilliant development. After suffering from reflux for years I got subjected to a few endoscopies of which some were actually quite traumatic with the anaesthetic not working. Subsequently was diagnosed with minor Barrett’s and a lazy bottom oesophagus, with the delightful news of endoscopy screening required every 5 years. I only hope that this becomes common practice and that I can get screened using this method sooner rather than later,

Wonderful news. This is why I give to Cancer Research. Just hope that GPs use this tool as standard. ( I spent several years being treated for acid reflux before finally being diagnosed with oesophageal cancer and undergoing surgery and chemotherapy- but thanks to our wonderful nhs am still here 20 years later.)

Fantastic willing this can be used throughout the uk health service.
Keep up the good work

I would be interesting in knowIng if the “sponge on a string’ will be used for used for Barrett’s surveillance patients instead of the 3 yearly endoscopes.

I find this particularly interesting as my brother died of oesophageal cancer when he was 54 almost 20 years ago.

Amazing idea to detect esophageal cancer
Well done

It is wonderful and uplifting to hear and read about these results and the hard work that has led to these discoveries.

The test is brilliant ,in it’s simplicity , and ease of use , more people will get tested because of this ; and get their treatment earlier and hopefully survive to tell their tale .
Well Done !

I have been on bi-annual endoscopy tests for about 10 years. Is it possible to switch to the cytosponge system? It sounds so much better all round – less cost for the NHS and less invasive for the patient

I am very impressed to read of your above breakthrough.
I have a dear friend who suffers from acid reflux
and have passed this exciting article onto her.

This is amazing news I would have benefited from this about 4 years ago as have recovered from cancer where they found it after I couldn’t swallow it would have possibly saved me from painful and traumatic treatment I am however extremely grateful to be here cancer free and that’s down to the fantastic team and their expertise

That’s a great opportunity for mankind and womankind, as my mother died of this,keep up the good work.

This has been very interesting to read, I know I have Barrets oesophageal and was wondering if this trial would benefit people like me? .

When will this test become widely available? I suffer really badly with GERD and my dad is recovering from Oesophageal cancer, hence my reason for asking.

I think this is a brilliant idea that will save lives

Can I get this done, I have had heartburn and other gastro probs for years, I live in Rotherham

BRILLIANT IDEA.

This sponge technique is so amazing. I wish it had been available when my grandmother was alive. This may have detected her cancer and saved her life. Hope for the future!!

Thanks for the work you are doing

Would be a blessing for so many people and their family.Pls don’t stop,keep doing it because is worthy

Absolutely brilliant loved to be able to read

I’ve had Barrett’s for years and have a endoscopy every 2yrs but this sounds an excellent step forward. how soon will it be in General practice?

I wish my husband could have this test done he’s suffered with reflux for years and is prescribed emoprazole he’s always getting food stuck and has to make himself vomit to clear it . I worry all the time for him

Really interesting research and great results.

Wow that’s incredible xx

How can I get tested this way?
I have had herd and acid stomach symptoms for years and during lockdown my symptoms have returned big time. My surgery is running in Locums and it’s not easy to get an appointment.
I only mentioned to my husband this morning that I was concerned especially as I don’t have a big appetite these days and feel quite tired plus a cough and sore throat

Really interesting and informative article, I do hope Cancer Research is able to get fully back on track soon, Your work is priceless

I volunteered for the test after being asked to take part by my GP. I do have Reflux and benign polyps and was glad to take part .lts a simple test which is not unduly unpleasant

Fantastic research & an article easy to understand. Sad to hear you have had to reduce staff & we would be prepared to increase our modest quarterly donation. Will be in touch Monday . Keep up good work.Kind regards

Definitely a good idea my husband passed away with this cancer.

This is wonderful . The bottle brush is now famous as the innovation behind the sponge. Brilliant

very good news. Carry on the good work-every little bit helps

This is interesting to me as I suffer with heartburn and have been taking medication for some years without having an endoscopy, it makes you wonder if it should be mandatory to have a test to make sure there are no other problems!

Amazing work by cancer uk I wish with all my heart I was able to donate more but my budget is very tight so I donate what I can. Thank you for the amazing work you continue to do.

Absolutely brilliant and a reason we all need to support research.

Very interesting, anything for early detection is wonderful, and not having radiotherapy chemotherapy,is a big plus. I had esophagus cancer in 2012, and was offered surgery or chemo ‘radio’, I chose the latter, and am here to tell the story, and feel very lucky to be here aged nearing 84.

I found this article extremely interesting as I have Barret’s oesophagus.

Last year, 2019, I had 8 endoscopies. This year I had one delayed for 3 months because of Covid 19. I have now had that endoscopy, received the result over the telephone – plus confirmation in the post- and 4 weeks later am still awaiting an appointment for my treatment.
Obviously, I shall be having to endure more endoscopies in the future and this new procedure sounds very interesting to me. I shall be asking my surgeon questions when my appointment comes through and also my consultant the next time I see him.

I have Barrett’s about 8years and vocal cord cancer but have never heard of this procedure.

Excellent how can I be tested and where? I have acid reflux &copd I’m 64

This is amazing and ESSENTIAL in my opinion to be used routinely just as a Smear and PSA and Bowel cancer testing . In my job in the Funeral Industry the amount of oesophageal Cancer causing death due to late diagnosis is memorable and above other causes of cancer death … and a cause very close to my heart as my 20 year old nephew was diagnosed a year ago With HER2+ and luckily was put on a trial at UCLH and now is being tested to join a trial with Dr Smyth at Addenbrooks Cambridge which we are so grateful for. This test at first symptom of acid reflux or IBS type feelings will save lives.

Fantastic news !

Excellent idea. Much less invasive than gastroscopy. This is what is putting me off having investigations for reflux. But if I could have this test I would. Please could you tell me how I could get it done.

What a great invention! My father unfortunately died from this condition.

Brilliant test.I had oesophagael cancer and at the beginning just thought it was indigestion.Touch wood I had a brilliant surgeon after going through chemo and radiotheraphy…Hope this test can help to save lifes…

Well done Cancer Research. Amazing, something so simple can be used to identify oesophageal changes before it has progressed to a more serious outcome. When will this be widely available?

yes i think it’s a wonderful idea i would love to have it done as i suffer alot with acid reflux.

Brilliant piece of innovative work

Fantastic step forward! My dad died from this so I’m pleased there’s a quicker way to diagnose for others.

I think this is amazing news!! I lost my fabulous husband 2017, 52yrs old, to this terrible disease. I hope this saves many people from the heart ache, invasive surgery, chemotherapy, uncertainty and anguish. Well done Cancer Research Team

sounds good to me I get acid all the time, years ago I was treated for ,healer bactor pylori I take the quardium pill every day if i miss for more than two days the acid is back . Would love to have this test.

This is brilliant news, I have had Breast Cancer, & have acid reflux, after having a sore throat for several months I saw my GP & was referred for an MRI scan of my throat & neck. The results said nothing sinister! But the sore throat is continuous & I know have to have a nasal endoscopy? This Cytosponge sounds amazing, why are GP’s nog using this?? I have previously had an Oesophageal Endoscopy &it was horrible!!

This is wonderful news,my husband died from oesophagus cancer.I have had 3 operation on my oesophagus the lower part was so inflamed my surgeon had to remove part of it. I have never smoked .I suffer terrible with reflux I take ranitidine and omeprazole 3 times a day I would love to try the ”sponge”.well done Cancer Research

How wonderful to hear of such positive results coming from the research into oesophageal cancer. My husband died of this disease, and I have a hiatus hernia and sometimes difficulty in swallowing when eating a meal. My doctor has prescribed Omeprazole for such a long period, and a day without that medication leaves me with severe heartburn. I would love the opportunity to have the ‘sponge’ test – before it is too late and I find there are serious consequences due to delay of appropriate treatment. Well done Cancer Research UK!

Wonderful! What a brilliant idea! But when will this procedure be done in Wales? Having endured several endoscopies, I would much rather swallow the pill/sponge for earlier diagnosis. Well done everyone!

This trial for oesophageal cancer is such great news for sufferers of a reflux condition where positive outcomes are now possible. Thank you Cancer research for your continuing curiosity into finding ways to beat & treat all forms of cancer.

The sponge on string sounds to be a great idea.

Absolutely incredible but straightforward and simple idea- well done and thank you all :))

Wish my husband who passed with this awful cancer could have had this done. You get a terminal illness and he couldn’t even eat latterly, so that great pleasure went from his life too. I am glad some in roads are being made with this type of cancer. I miss him every day. Jackiexx

This sounds marvellous. I have been told that I have Barrett’s then told I probably haven’t. My grandmother died of oesophageal cancer. Please roll it out quickly and do contact me if trials continue.

Sounds a really good idea. I had a hiatus hernia opp last year because of very bad reflux and acid I am no better and still on the same medication.

I think this is fantastic, a wonderful development. Congratulations to the Cancer Research Team.

I have suffered from silent reflux for about 5 years, I do worry about getting oesophageal cancer. I have had a gastroscopy which I found quite traumatic so would welcome something like this

excellent to hear of progress on one of the more difficult cancers

I think this is an amazing trail

I would like to participate in the trail

Excellent news. My husband died of oesophageal cancer in 2002 aged 48 a year after being diagnosed and quite extensive surgery and chemotherapy. So I am happy to hear that this test will now diagnose early and may prevent invasive surgery.

This was very interesting as I have Barratts Osephagus and would much prefer to swallow a pill rather than have another endoscopy !

Fantastic, I would be interested in having the test as I have taken omeprazole for acid reflux for years and am always worried about oesophageal cancer. My aunt and a friend died of it as it was not diagnosed early.

Very interesting article. Oesphageal cancer is always often found too late. But why should random people receive the test, ideally some kind of screening tool at say a certain age for everyone would be ideal, like the bowel screening programme or cervical screeing programme. Oesphageal cancer is treatable and curable if caught in early stages but rarely is and from personal experience it is classed as death sentence with no hope because of the late stage at which it is diagnosed in many cases. A tool like for everyone could save lives.