The team need 2,000 people to take part in this trial.
Having the capsule sponge test and endoscopy
To begin with, everyone has the capsule sponge test and an endoscopy. You may have both tests on the same day or on different days . You may have already had the sponge test if you took part in the BEST4 screening trial. If this is the case, you have only the endoscopy at this stage. The team won’t repeat the capsule sponge test.
The capsule sponge is a small sponge inside a capsule. The capsule is suitable for vegetarians. It is similar in size to a vitamin pill and is attached to a thread. You swallow the capsule along with the string. Once swallowed, the capsule dissolves in the stomach after about 7 minutes. This releases the sponge.
A trained nurse then gently removes the sponge by pulling the thread. This takes a few seconds. As it is pulled out, the sponge collects cells from the lining of the food pipe. The test takes around 10 minutes in total.
You can watch a short video about having the sponge test.
You then have your endoscopy. During this, the doctor takes samples from the lining of the food pipe.
Capsule sponge test and endoscopy results
The researchers compare your endoscopy and sponge test results. They use these results and other factors, such as age and sex, to decide when you should have these tests done again.
- Everybody is invited to have both tests at 3 years.
- Some people have another endoscopy at 3 months. This depends on their capsule sponge test results. They may then either have the capsule sponge test again at 18 months following their first procedure or they may need to leave the trial. This would be because they need treatment.
- Some people have another sponge test at 18 months. This depends on the result of their initial capsule sponge test result and other risk factors.
Your doctor explains the results to you after each test. If your sponge sample doesn’t contain enough cells to give a clear result, the team might invite you to have a repeat test.
You stop taking part in the trial if your endoscopy shows you have cell changes or early cancer. You then have routine care including any treatment if you need it.
Follow up when the trial finishes
You continue to have routine endoscopies to monitor the Barrett’s oesophagus. This is only if you didn’t develop cell changes or early cancer. Your doctor will let you know how often you have these tests.
