How A Simple Sponge Test Could Help Catch Deadly Cancer Early

There’s a type of cancer that people often confuse with something as common as heartburn, but it could actually be detected early with a straightforward sponge test.

In fact, it's not unusual for cancer symptoms to be mistaken for other less serious conditions. One woman, for instance, thought she had a simple urinary tract infection. But the reality was far more serious — she was later diagnosed with a very rare form of cancer called desmoplastic small round cell tumor, or DSRCT.

Cases like hers serve as reminders of how easily early signs of cancer can be overlooked or misdiagnosed.

Unfortunately, this kind of confusion happens far too often, especially with oesophageal cancer, which tends to fly under the radar.

The Mayo Clinic points out that symptoms of this type of cancer might include trouble swallowing, chest discomfort, persistent coughing or a hoarse voice, unexplained weight loss, and heartburn or indigestion that gets worse over time.

Although oesophageal cancer isn’t among the most common types, heartburn on its own affects roughly one in four adults in the UK at any given moment. This is according to Guts UK, a health charity, and it highlights why many people might brush off something serious as just a bad case of heartburn.

A straight forward sponge test could help diagnose a rare type of cancer Cancer Research UK/YouTube

Since heartburn is so widespread, experts have suggested that people who experience it regularly should consider getting checked for oesophageal cancer. One way to do that is through a simple screening process known as the sponge test.

This test involves swallowing a capsule that’s attached to a string. Once the capsule dissolves in the stomach, it releases a sponge about the size of a 50p coin. The sponge then collects cells from the oesophagus as it’s gently pulled back out.

What makes the test so valuable is that it can detect abnormal cell changes linked to Barrett’s oesophagus, a condition that increases the risk of developing oesophageal cancer later on.

The hope is that using this method to screen for the disease could save lives and help cut down on the need for more invasive procedures like endoscopy. Endoscopy involves inserting a camera down the throat and is currently considered the most reliable method for diagnosing and treating this form of cancer — but it’s also time-consuming and resource-heavy.

The sponge test was created by Professor Rebecca Fitzgerald, who leads the Early Cancer Institute at the University of Cambridge. Mimi McCord, the founder of the charity Heartburn Cancer UK, is now campaigning for this test to be made more widely available across the UK.

At the moment, access to the test is mostly limited to patients considered high risk, which means a lot of people who could benefit might not have the opportunity to use it.

Mimi was inspired to launch her charity after losing her husband to oesophageal cancer back in 2002.

Because the symptoms of the disease can look so much like ordinary heartburn, she says it often goes unnoticed until it’s too late.

"Cancer of the oesophagus is a killer that can hide in plain sight," she told Metro. "People don't always realise it, but not all heartburn is harmless."

"While they keep on treating the symptoms, the underlying cause might be killing them."

Mimi went on to add: "We have a test. We know it works. People are dying while we wait to make it widely available."

The test, officially called the Cytosponge, was actually approved for use in the United States by the FDA back in 2018, which shows its potential to make a real difference.

Professor Rebecca Fitzgerald seen holding the invention The University of Cambridge/PA Wire

Even though the FDA has approved the test, it still hasn’t become a common tool in the U.S. healthcare system.

Traditional endoscopy continues to be the more frequently used method for diagnosing oesophageal cancer.