Creating a new diagnostic test for oesophageal cancer

Created in Cambridge by Professor Rebecca Fitzgerald, the idea for the cytosponge began back in 2001. Twenty years later, this ground-breaking device could transform the way we test people for oesophageal cancer in a cheaper, less invasive way.

The NIHR Cambridge Clinical Research Facility were there at the beginning for the early phase of trials to make sure this device was carefully tested and safe for patients.

Now the cytosponge has proven it is a suitable test for patients who may have Barrett’s oesophagus, a condition that can lead to oesophageal (throat) cancer in a small number of people.

Click on the interactive document below to follow the journey of the cytosponge from an idea to a new diagnostic test.