Do you Suffer from Persistent Heartburn?
Heartburn Cancer UK is committed to raising awareness that ‘Heartburn isn’t always harmless’ and persistent symptoms for three weeks or more – where you might be regularly taking over the counter medication like Rennies and Gaviscon – should be discussed and checked with your GP.
Your GP may refer you for medical tests which may include an endoscopy to check your oesophagus and stomach.
Instead of endoscopy some NHS trusts are looking at the use of the Capsule Sponge Test which has been shown in clinical trials to be a simple, safe, and reliable method of finding diseases affecting the gullet or food pipe (oesophagus).
If a patient meets the requirements for a Capsule Sponge Test and is on the endoscopic waiting list, then the Capsule Sponge Test may be offered in place of an endoscopy.
The Capsule Sponge Test can help identify and monitor a condition called Barrett’s oesophagus, which can increase your risk of oesophageal cancer. It can also detect signs of oesophageal cancer.
How The Capsule Sponge Test Works
- Swallowing a capsule on a strong, thin, thread with some water. The capsule is a similar size to a vitamin tablet and is made from vegetarian gelatine
- The capsule is left in your stomach for up to seven minutes until it dissolves, releasing a small sponge
- After seven minutes, the doctor /nurse will remove the sponge by pulling gently on the thread
- This will only take 1 or 2 seconds and should not be painful, but you may feel like the inside of your gullet is being brushed
- As it is pulled out, the sponge collects a sample of the cells lining your oesophagus
- The cell sample will be sent to the lab for analysis to look for Barrett’s cells and any sign of inflammation or cancerous changes
- You will be told the results and if you need any treatment or follow up tests
How the Capsule Sponge Test has been Developed
Heartburn Cancer UK’s Medical Trustee, Professor Rebecca Fitzgerald, and her team have been working hard on making the Capsule Sponge Test available for the general public over the last 10 years.
In this YouTube video of a webinar called ‘Catching Cancer Early – ‘how long is a piece of string’ –Professor Fitzgerald explains her practice-changing work on the early detection of oesophageal cancer.
Capsule Sponge Tests & Heartburn Cancer UK’s Mobile Diagnostic Unit
The Capsule Sponge Test is a minimally invasive procedure that can identify those at risk of oesophageal cancer.
Watch the video for more information about HCUK’s mobile diagnostic testing unit and the Capsule Sponge Test, including testimonials from patients who underwent the test, explaining their experiences and the ease of the procedure.
How to get a Capsule Sponge Test on The NHS
Please click here to see where the test is currently available and whether it’s being used to monitor patients with Barrett’s or as a referral for patients with reflux symptoms. To access the test via the NHS you will need to speak to your GP and ask to be referred.
How to get a Capsule Sponge Test Privately
The Capsule Sponge Test is also directly available at the following private locations:
London
The Cleveland Clinic
Dr Rehan Haidry at the Cleveland Clinic London
Phone: 0203 423 7500
Website: Cleveland Clinic London
Manchester
The Capsule Clinic
Dr Simon Campbell at the Capsule Clinic
Phone: 01625 827 826
Website: www.thecapsuleclinic.com
Watch Eddie’s Story
Capsule Sponge Test Research Studies
The Heartburn Health Research Programme
The Heartburn Health programme is supported by the NHS and Cancer Research UK, and is being run by experts from the University of Cambridge, Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, and Queen Mary University of London. It is the largest research initiative of its kind in the UK, and is exploring new ways to detect and prevent oesophageal cancer in people with persistent heartburn, indigestion, or acid reflux. You can self refer to request to join the programme.
The BEST4 Trials
The BEST4 trial is exploring new ways to detect and prevent oesophageal cancer in people with persistent heartburn, indigestion, or acid reflux. The programme is looking for at least 120,000 volunteers who live in the UK and experience these symptoms.
NHS Pilot – Tests Offered in Pharmacies
In 2026 the capsule sponge test will soon be available in selected Boots and independent pharmacies as part of a major 2 year long NHS pilot programme.
The pilot will see 1,500 patients in London and the East Midlands offered a free ‘heartburn health check’ at their local Boots or independant pharmacy.
More information about the pilot is available here.
Useful Information about The Capsule Sponge Test