Following the unbelievable generosity and fundraising efforts of our supporters over the past 12 months we are thrilled to have commissioned a purpose built mobile diagnostic unit which has been in use since June 2021.  The unit was launched in Cambridgeshire enabling us to facilitate the first part of a pilot study in partnership with Project DELTA, bringing screening for Barrett's oesophagus into primary care.

Following it's time in Cambridge, the unit then made it's move to Essex in January 2022 and as of July 2022 the unit is now located in Suffolk where it will remain until the end of the year.  This pilot project is hoped to reach up to 1500 people who suffer with persistent heartburn the opportunity to have screening in a way that they may not otherwise have accessed.

But our vision doesn't end here...

Background

Diagnosis of oesophageal cancer is currently only possible in England and Wales through an invasive and expensive hospital procedure called endoscopy.  Our partnership has introduced an alternative solution, The Cytosponge, a screening test which is designed for use in a community setting.  This simple test represents a huge leap forwards in supporting earlier diagnosis and helping prevent oesophageal cancer.

We are fundraising to establish a longer term early diagnostic service using the Cytosponge, over a two-year period, starting in August 2022. 

The most up to date evidence shows that use of the Cytosponge in the care of those who suffer with persistent heartburn identifies 10 times more cases of Barrett's oesophagus than the current usual care plan

Our vision includes the purchase, equipping and staffing of further mobile units using the Cytosponge device and in partnership with local healthcare systems for medical support.  

This ground breaking project will allow us to bring screening and early diagnosis directly to communities that we know have high incidence of oesophageal cancer, ensuring that our work and The Cytosponge device have the greatest impact possible, resulting in more early detection, a significantly better prognosis and cost saving for the NHS.

Our long-term plan is that The Cytosponge will become available throughout the UK as part of a routine care package for those presenting with persistent heartburn.

Your support means that, until this is the case, we can continue to make this test available to as many as possible of those who are most at risk.

We can't thank you enough for your donation.