CASE STUDY
Overview
Oesophageal cancer is the 14th most common cancer in UK, accounting for 2% of all new cancers, of which, approximately only 20% are diagnosed at an early stage i.e., stage 1 or 2 (Cancer Research UK/CRUK, 2023); a proportion which is significantly below the 2019 NHS Long term Plan aims of 75% of cancers diagnosed early.
In Wessex, interim data showed that of nearly 700 oesophageal cancers diagnosed, 73% were diagnosed late, highlighting a need to identify and adopt new ways of detecting this form of cancer earlier and faster.
Anna Wykes
Programme manager, Health Innovation Wessex
“We recognised the importance of improving how we find patients at risk of oesophageal cancer and were delighted to support teams in Dorset to participate in the CYTOPRIME2 project. Impact from this project shows the positive role innovative tests like the capsule sponge can have in helping achieve this.”
Anna Wykes
Programme manager, Health Innovation Wessex
In this project, following the delivery of a Capsule Sponge service in Dorset at University Hospitals Dorset (UHD), the benefits of this test were acknowledged by the endoscopy team who also recognised a need to make the service more accessible to communities who are at risk of oesophageal cancer across Wessex.
Health Innovation Wessex worked with the clinical teams and company providing the test, Cyted, to successfully apply for funding to implement six clinics; five based in primary care and one based in a community diagnostic centre. This included supporting three GP teams to undertake case finding to proactively identify patients symptomatic of but with unconfirmed Barrett's Oesophagus.
Our programme manager for cancer innovations led the implementation of the project, providing project management support to the local teams, facilitating patient engagement and facilitating the collaboration with the wider CYTOPRIME2 project team which included Cyted and two Cancer Alliance teams.
How we did it
Delivered over 18 months, the project generated £594,956 in funding. This funding was used to support three GP practices in Dorset to case find patients symptomatic of Barrett's Oesophagus and deliver five local capsule sponge clinics. Working with UHD, their secondary care service was transferred to a local Community Diagnostic Centre site and enabled 171 patients with known Barrett's Oesophagus to receive a capsule sponge test in place of an endoscopy.
How can we help you?
If you’d like to get in touch please
email enquiries@hiwessex.net