The National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) are inviting the public and healthcare professionals to a webinar to ask questions of a leading expert about the latest research into the prevention and early detection of oesophageal cancer.

Professor Rebecca Fitzgerald will take questions in an ‘ask the expert’ event on Tuesday 19 September from 6pm to 7pm.

Prof Fitzgerald is a Professor of Cancer Prevention at the University of Cambridge and Director of the Early Cancer Institute and HCUK Trustee. She has led pioneering advances in research and technological innovation to detect oesophageal cancer earlier in order to improve outcomes for cancer patients.

The outlook for patients with this particular cancer remains poor because it is often diagnosed late, therefore finding new ways to catch the disease earlier and before it develops is important to improve survival.

Prof Fitzgerald and her team developed a test, called Cytosponge™, to help diagnose a condition called Barrett’s Oesophagus which can sometimes develop into oesophageal cancer. Through a clinical trial called BEST3, the researchers are now introducing Cytosponge™ to GP practices.

The event will be hosted by Liz Chipchase, who received the Cytosponge™ test as part of the BEST3 clinical trial and was diagnosed with early-stage oesophageal cancer. This was successfully treated and she advocates that the test saved her life.

This webinar will be an opportunity to ask any questions you have about the research happening into the early detection of oesophageal cancer and other related conditions.

How can I sign up?

Sign up in advance using the event registration form, where you can enter your question for the expert. They will also be able to ask questions during the event if there is time.

Those unable to attend can provide their email address using the form so they can be sent a link to a recording of the event.

The event is hosted by the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR), a Department of Health and Social Care-funded organisation that works to improve the health and wealth of the nation through research.

It will be hosted on Zoom, which can be accessed through a computer browser or app for devices. Details of the link to follow will be emailed in the lead up to the webinar. For queries, contact [email protected].

You can read more about the results of the BEST3 trial on the Cancer Research UK website here:

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To find out about wider research happening and how to get involved visit the NIHR’s website: www.bepartofresearch.uk