Heartburn Cancer UK is collaborating with a research team from the Universities of Southampton and Cambridge on a new study using the Cytosponge to detect oesophageal cancer recurrence after treatment.
The study is seeking individuals who have either undergone the Capsule Sponge procedure or received radiotherapy for Oesophageal cancer to participate in a 1-hour online focus group.
Your insights will help refine the study and improve early detection methods, making a real impact in the fight against oesophageal cancer.
Further details regarding the study and the focus meeting are below. If you are interested or would like more information please contact  Liz Allaway, SCTU Patient and Public Involvement Coordinator via email at L.Allaway@soton.ac.uk
Please Note: The deadline for applications to take part is Tuesday 1st October 2024.
Background to the Research Study
Some patients who are diagnosed with oesophageal cancer are treated with combined radiotherapy and chemotherapy. There is a chance that cancer may return after this treatment and so patients should be closely monitored to watch out for this. At the moment, monitoring is usually done with endoscopies (a camera that looks down the throat and into the food pipe). Many patients find these procedures uncomfortable. We are planning to see whether a capsule sponge device could be used instead.
Can You Help the Research Team?
The trial team are looking for people with lived experience of:
• Taking a capsule sponge diagnostic test such as the Cytosponge or Endosign, e.g. for monitoring in people with Barrett’s oesophagus
• Receiving radiotherapy for Oesophageal cancer
The team will invite you to join a 1-hour online focus group (via Microsoft Teams) to give us your thoughts on the new study and to review the Plain English Summary of the trial.
Reimbursement
You will be offered reimbursement for your time at a rate of £25/hour.
Support for You
The trial team will give you an initial overview of the project and support you throughout your role. There will also be wider support and resources available from the Southampton Clinical Trials Unit Patient and Public Involvement Coordinator.
