People in Wirral recruited for ground-breaking cancer screening trial
Innovative test aims to identify oesophageal cancer risk earlier
People in the Wirral are participating in a major clinical trial that could pave the way for a new screening programme for oesophageal cancer.
In the Wirral area, 2,294 individuals have been recruited into the Heartburn Health platform which supports cancer research trials, and 1,039 have been randomly selected to participate in the BEST4 Screening trial. A total of 236 appointments have been booked.
The trial, backed by £6.4 million funding from Cancer Research UK and the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR), will explore whether the capsule sponge test can effectively screen for Barrett’s oesophagus, a condition that may lead to oesophageal cancer. The capsule sponge test, less invasive and costly than an endoscopy, involves swallowing a pill that expands into a sponge to collect cells from the oesophagus.
Dr. Thomas Skouras, a consultant at Royal Liverpool and Broadgreen University Hospitals NHS Trust and principal investigator for the trial in Merseyside, highlighted the importance of early detection.
“Oesophageal cancer is becoming more commonly recognised in the UK,” Dr Skouras said.
“To turn the tide against this deadly cancer, we need to find those people who are at the greatest risk much earlier than we do now… The capsule sponge test is much quicker, less expensive and can be delivered in the community.”
The mobile screening vans are currently stationed at Tesco in Birkenhead and will move to Tranmere Rovers Football Club next week.
The trial is open to men aged 55 to 79 and women aged 65 to 79 with regular heartburn or similar symptoms.
Professor Rebecca Fitzgerald, co-principal investigator, emphasised the potential impact of the trial.
“The BEST4 Screening trial is the pinnacle of many years of painstaking research… This trial could fundamentally transform the lives of people affected by oesophageal cancer by providing the crucial evidence needed to make it a viable screening programme, rolled out to every part of the UK.”
Michelle Mitchell, Chief Executive of Cancer Research UK, praised the trial's advancement.
“Around 59% of all oesophageal cancer cases are preventable… Backed by funding from Cancer Research UK, the capsule sponge has become one of the most exciting early detection tools to emerge in recent years.”
Recruitment for the trial follows the initial rollout in Cambridgeshire, with the aim of enlisting 120,000 participants nationwide.