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‘Sponge-on-a-string’ cancer test introduced in pharmacies

ENGLAND, JUL 9 – The pilot targets 1,500 people with frequent heartburn to detect Barrett's oesophagus early, improving survival by enabling treatment before oesophageal cancer develops.

  • NHS England announced that about 1,500 patients will be offered a sponge on a string test in high-street pharmacies in a two-year pilot starting early next year.
  • Oesophageal cancer is often diagnosed late, with nearly 10,000 UK cases annually; 80% are late-stage, and only 20% survive beyond a year.
  • Patients swallow a capsule on a string that expands into a sponge to collect oesophageal cells for analysis, enabling early cancer detection.
  • During the pilot, pharmacists will identify unscreened patients, reducing invasive endoscopies and freeing hospital resources for higher-risk cases.
  • Should the two-year NHS England pilot prove successful, it may expand to other regions beyond London and the East Midlands within the next two years, potentially transforming early cancer detection nationwide.
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The IndependentThe Independent
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The Independent (US)The Independent (US)
Lean Left

New ‘sponge’ cancer test to be trialled in high-street pharmacies

NHS England is piloting a new way of preventing oesophageal cancer

·London, United Kingdom
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The ArgusThe Argus
+2 Reposted by 2 other sources
Center

‘Sponge on a string’ cancer test to be available in high-street pharmacies

A capsule dissolves in the patient’s stomach and leaves a small sponge about the size of a 1p coin.

·Brighton, United Kingdom
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The Sun broke the news in United Kingdom on Tuesday, July 8, 2025.
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