Can a capsule sponge change how we diagnose oesophageal cancer?

What a fabulous invention by Dr Fitzgerald. This is one of the many reasons why I donate to Cancer Research and other Cancer charities.

Fantastic news well done Dr. Fitzgerald. My husband died in 2016 with this cancer. The treatment was harsh it was awful to see him struggling to eat. He lasted 13 months after his diagnosis.
I wish this capsule had been available then but I’m truly grateful for this breakthrough, it will give hope to many

There is cancer in my family my father died at 48, lung cancer, my mother died with oesophageal cancer at 70. I think I’ve been worried most of my life about developing this disease. I do have a problem with my throat, and been tested. The results showed that I had a balloon type flat in my throat exacerbated by a bit of arthritis in my neck., therefore fully support anything that could determine this terrible disease. I’m 74 at the moment

I heard about this many years ago when I was a patient volunteer for London Cancer. I would be interested in the trial. I have had oesophageal cancer, survived it by 14 years but have Barratts, diagnosed 2015. can this test still be used. I have had an Ivor Lewis op.

This is amazing and will make such a difference. Is this a concept that could be adapted for colonoscopy alternatives?Something you could do at home or at a local surgery would be a game changer.

esophagus Cancer has been at the forefront of my mind for many a years having lost fellow Mineworkers with this awful disease and often wondering about the links from mineworkers and this type of cancer. I too would like to participate in any tests that could help control and ultimately cure this type of cancer. A great breakthrough nonetheless well done CRUK

Excellent research programme. What is the criteria for the test programme ?

I have a Hiatus hernia & suffer from acid reflux. I am taking 20mg daily of omeprazole, been on them for years with no follow up appointments being made for me… GP just keeps prescring them..This new sponge is a wonderful idea. I dont have regular check ups. Which i think i should have.

I am a 54yr old female who was diagnosed with oesophageal cancer in December 2019. I have had an operation and radiotherapy and copious amounts of chemotherapy…but it’s still there and now it’s terminal. So I am now under my oncologist for palliative care and pain management but feel very lucky indeed that I’m now 4yrs down the line and have managed to get all my finances in order, arrange my funeral and make sure that my children do not have to do too much once I’m gone. I’ve travelled more in the last 3yrs than I’ve ever travelled and feel very lucky indeed that I’ve got the chance to make some lovely memories with my family and friends…. its good to know that diagnosing and catching oesophagus cancer early is on the radar! Mine was diagnosed VERY EARLY and I think that is why I’m still here. I hope that they develop this and it soon becomes widely available for everyone.

This sounds truly encouraging my dear cousin died from undiagnosed oesophagal cancer just 5 years ago. This will bring hope and encourage many to be tested.

My sister died from oesophageal cancer only 6 months after diagnosis. It will be fantastic if a simple test can be introduced. This has the potential to save many lives.

This is an amazing breakthrough and really hope it is successful. My husband had suffered from Barrett’s oesophagus for many years and was supposed to have endoscopy every 3 years. His last endoscopy was 18months late due to waiting list and tragically he had developed stage 4 oesophageal cancer and passed away 3 weeks after diagnosis. I would hope that this new investigation would be so much easier to access

Anything that can be done to prevent this awful disease is a must. My father has been suffering with oesophageal cancer for 3 years now. This would be a fantastic step forward for both the patients and the NHS. Keep up the good work.

I lost my wife of 57 years to oesophageal cancer last October some 2 years after first diagnosis.
I have suffered from GORD for many years with my symptoms of heart burn being kept to a minimum by pi’s. One of my close friends had Barrets oesophagus for several years and he unfortunately was one of the unlucky ones and eventually died of oesophageal cancer. I would be more than willing to participate in the next phase of this trial and will let my GP know.

What a fantastic find. I lost my dear father to this awful condition 15 years ago. I’ve also had 2 tests since then and although they are unpleasant the results have reassured me that at the moment I am OK. I’m hoping that Tim goes on OK and send him my prayers that everything goes well for him in the future and for those who take part in any investigations.

This is interesting, I have what was described as “ scaring” of the esophagus after having an endoscopy because I have difficulty in swallowing certain foods. This was carried out around 2021 and things are not improving. I would be interested in helping with trials.

My husband died in September 2023 after being diagnosed with oesophagus cancer almost four years previously. I think, after seeing him struggle to eat the last few months of his life, anything that can prevent this happening to anyone is a real breakthrough

This is a wonderful break through which could have made such a difference to my life ten years ago. I was diagnosed with oesophageal and stomach cancer in 2014 having suffered with refluxes for a long time before. I went through chemotherapy and a life changing oesophagectomy in 2015 but I’m doing well now – one of the lucky ones so far! I urge anyone with the symptoms to get a diagnosis as soon as they can, regardless of the discomfort. Anything that makes this easier is very much to be welcomed.

After watching my husband going through so much with this type of cancer I think this is absolutely amazing and I hope the trial does prove to be beneficial to diagnosing the disease and help future patients to be able to not have to go through one more uncomfortable procedure patients have so much to endure along their journey ..Well done all at cancer Research you are all so much appreciated for your work .

My Dad died of oesophageal cancer only 3 weeks after being diagnosed (even though he had been complaining for years to his doctor). I do wish this test had been available back in the 1970s.

I had oesophageal cancer nine years ago I was one of the lucky ones but I do worry about it returning so anything to make it easier to detect I am all for thank you for never giving up.

Brillant that an easy test can now be done. I was diagnosed in 2020 with cancer of the esophagus. Had a cough for weeks and then started to find swallowing difficulty. August 2020 confirmed, stage 2/3. Chemo and radiotherapy in Oct/ Nov 2020 and despite feeding tube in December, operation on January removed entire esophagus. I’m fairly fit and it took me over a year to recover weight wise and strength. At 65 my life style with eating is nearly normal albeit less in quantity which isn’t an issue. I still cycle, ply 5 a side football and tennis so in that area my life is back to where it was. I cannot thank the medical team at Wishaw University Hospital under the direction of Mr Kasem enough. Their care, attention and overall aftercare is and has been incredible. My father died of esophagus cancer way back in 1979 and the advanced diagnosis and treatment proves this is a survivable cancer if caught. I hope anyone that is diagnosed takes comfort in my story.

I have Barrett’s Oesophagus and was diagnosed in 2008 after treatment for Non-Hodgkins. I do have to have regular endoscopies and feel this is an amazing invention. I would for sure be interested in the trial. Funny thing is that I am also waiting on my regular screening, I moved recently and because of that I have to wait and have been told the waiting list is long. I’m 48.

I lost my Husband to oesophageal cancer within thirteen months of his diagnosIs, so anything to detect and treat this cancer is a wonderful step forward.

Wow Dr. Fitzgerald, this is an amazing invention. I have asymptomatic Barrets esophagus and regularly endoscopies are not pleasent. Removing biopsy tissue from one’s esophagus using a “micro type tweezers’ looks and feels so invasive and in my personal non medically trained opinion, surely leaves more damaged scare tissue than the cyto-sponge would. Please can you contact me ASAP to discuss whether its possible for me to join the trial.

Absolutely fantastic !! I am hoping this trial is a success. I lost an immediate family member to this cancer, If only this was an option at the time !! I am in full support, raising money myself for this !!

I was treated for 7 years lucky they caught it in time they test yearly now
This new test will benefit the patient and the NHS

Anything that will help the patient and the NHS I was being seen for 7 years but I only get seen yearly now for the cameras down the throat not pleasant really