The NHS has launched “heartburn tests” across five pharmacies in the East Midlands, which it hopes will help to detect and prevent oesophageal cancer.
Forming part of the NHS Cancer Programme, the test is aimed at people over the age of 45 experiencing persistent heartburn or acid reflux.
The test, called the “EndoSign capsule sponge” test, “involves the patient swallowing a small capsule attached to a strong, thin thread”, the NHS said.
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“After a few minutes in the stomach, the capsule dissolves, releasing a small sponge which collects cells from the oesophagus as it is gently pulled back up by the pharmacist.”
The cells are then sent for testing and referred for an endoscopy if the test returns results that “need further investigation”.
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The NHS said that of the 79 patients tested on the pilot so far, 25 have subsequently been referred.
The pilot is taking place across two Boots branches (one in Nottingham, one in Derby), one Well Pharmacy (Mansfield), and two independents, Oakwood Pharmacy in Mansfield and Infinity Pharmacy in Kirkby-in-Ashfield.
“Not painful at all”
Participant in the pilot Carmen Normington-Rodriguez called the service “excellent and very straightforward”.
“The pharmacist was incredibly helpful and immediately put me at ease,” she said. “The procedure itself was simple and not painful at all. Within half an hour, I was out of the store and getting on with my day.”
“I fully recommend the service, I can’t believe how easy it was and how much peace of mind it’s given me,” she added.
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It comes after the government announced its new National Cancer Plan in February, which planned to launch these new “heartburn tests”.
And it follows the announcement last week of a new national pilot programme for pharmacists qualifying this year as independent prescribers.
