NHS England has announced the rollout of a ‘sponge on a string’ test in high street pharmacies. Aimed at those experiencing persistent heartburn or acid reflux, this two-year pilot hopes to prevent cases of oesophageal cancer.
This rapid test takes just ten minutes and, once processed in a lab, can detect pre-cancerous changes in the oesophageal lining, known as Barrett’s oesophagus. It involves patients swallowing a small pill on a thread, which expands into a penny-sized sponge when it reaches the stomach.
It is currently used in Community Diagnostic Centres to avoid the need for invasive endoscopies. Pharmacists will help spot patients who are regularly using over-the-counter medications to ease their heartburn or reflux symptoms but haven’t come forward to their GP.
This offers a tangible example of shifting diagnostic testing into the community and emphasises a focus on preventative healthcare. Both of these objectives align with the NHS’s recent 10-Year Health Plan.
