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

Hundreds of people experiencing persistent heartburn or acid reflux will soon be offered a “sponge on a string” test in high-street pharmacies.

NHS England is piloting a new way of preventing oesophageal cancer by identifying individuals with a condition called Barrett’s oesophagus, which occurs when stomach acid damages the lining of the oesophagus or food pipe.

Some cells may grow abnormally and then develop into oesophageal cancer.

From early next year, around 1,500 people in London and the East Midlands will participate in these new "heartburn health checks" to test for Barrett’s oesophagus.

During the test, the patient swallows a small capsule attached to a string. The capsule dissolves in the stomach and leaves a small sponge about the size of a 1p coin.

The sponge is then pulled out via the string by NHS staff after a few minutes, during which time it collects cells from the oesophageal lining for analysis in the lab.

This test is already used in hospitals and community diagnostic centres to help reduce the need for invasive endoscopies in Barrett’s patients.

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Source: The Independent, 9 July 2025