Introduction to Heartburn Health Check

Greater Manchester Cancer Alliance – part of the NHS – is running a limited number of free heartburn health checks on a first come first served basis for people aged 55-65 who meet certain criteria. The mobile clinic in a van is touring all 10 boroughs in Greater Manchester. We want to work with GP practices and for you to invite those at greatest risk of oesophageal cancer for a check.

Why are we running Heartburn Health Checks?

The Heartburn Health Check project aims to identify patients at high risk of Barrett’s Oesophagus to improve early diagnosis of oesophageal cancer.

Barrett’s oesophagus  is a pre-cancerous condition which is caused by chronic gastro-oesophageal reflux. Patients with Barrett’s  have an increased risk of developing oesophageal cancer.

We will offer a capsule sponge test (also known as pill on a string test) to these patients through our Heartburn Health Check initiative. Capsule sponge is a non-endoscopic test that can be delivered in primary care or clinic setting. The test involves the collection of oesophageal cells for cytopathology and immunostaining via a swallowable sponge, contained within a capsule, with an attached thread. The retrieved sponge is sent for laboratory testing to detect Barrett’s  and signs of early cancer/dysplasia.

Patients will be identified through primary care data searches and invited to receive a capsule sponge test. We aim to deliver approximately 450 capsule sponge tests during this pilot. The service is by appointment only.

Patient Invitations

Once patients have been identified using the data searches, they will be invited to book an appointment at the mobile unit, either by text message or letter. They will include a link or QR for the patients to complete a triage questionnaire and book their appointments on the mobile unit if they are eligible.

Patients will then attend the mobile unit on their appointment date and have the capsule sponge procedure. The sample will be sent to Cyted, who will perform the sample analysis.

Results

Capsule sponge results will be managed by the project team at Northern Care Alliance (NCA). Results will be sent to the project team through the Cyted online portal.

There are 4 possible capsule sponge results:

  • Normal – patients and their GP will be sent a letter to inform them of the result. Patients will also be sent information about management of reflux.
  • Possible BO – patients will be referred by NCA to their local Trust for routine endoscopy to diagnose BO. If BO is diagnosed, the patient will enter the BO surveillance pathway at their local Trust. The GP will be informed of the result and referral by letter.
  • Possible signs of early cancer/dysplasia – patients will be referred by NCA to their local Trust’s suspected cancer pathway for urgent diagnostic investigations. Patients will be contacted by telephone by NCA to inform them of the referral. GPs will be informed of the referral by letter.
  • Insufficient sample – the patient will be asked to rebook an appointment for a repeat capsule sponge.

Schedule

The project will launch at Bolton Wanderers Football Club on 5th March 2025.

See the schedule.

Further information

For further information, please contact gmcancer.earlydiagnosis-primarycare@nhs.net