Patients swallow a soluble pill attached to a thread which, when washed down with a glass of water, releases a sponge the size of a 50p coin to collect cells from the oesophagus as it is retrieved.
It is then pulled out using the attached thread, allowing the cells it has gathered to be analysed to see if someone has Barrett's oesophagus, which raises the risk of developing oesophageal cancer. The disease - cancer of the food pipe - is on the rise and is closely associated with risk factors such as poor diet, smoking, alcohol consumption and having a hiatus hernia.
Trials have already shown that the test can reliably identify people with Barrett's oesophagus.
This story is from the November 29, 2024 edition of The Guardian.
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This story is from the November 29, 2024 edition of The Guardian.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
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