The technology allows nurses to test for signs and symptoms of throat cancer without having to perform a full endoscopy which requires hospitalisation
A new life-saving attachment is letting nurses use iPhones to have throat cancer speedily diagnosed.
The device – a tiny lens on a thin tube connected via an app – is set to boost NHS survival rates. Nurses in GP surgeries and community clinics will be able to take footage which can be quickly reviewed remotely by a specialist.
The technology, already on trial, also means thousands will get the all-clear within 24 hours rather than waiting weeks after referral. At present suspected throat cancer patients are given an endoscopy in hospital. It involves swallowing a tube with a camera on the end.
Delayed diagnosis is a major reason UK cancer survival rates are worse than those in most comparable European countries. NHS bosses hope the new technology will help reverse this.
Health minister Karin Smyth said: “This is a shining example of how innovation can tackle waiting lists, improve patient experience and speed diagnosis.”
A trial with almost 2,000 patients has proved successful in Stoke and is being expanded across the West Midlands before possible introduction nationwide. Dr Cally Palmer, NHS England’s cancer director, said: “Through pioneering innovations like this iPhone device, which can be used in any setting, we hope we’ll be able to detect many more cancers sooner.”
The Endoscope-i is one of 14 projects sharing a £25million NHS cancer prevention plan. Others include a sponge to detect oesophageal cancer and a home-test for those at genetic risk of breast, ovarian, prostate and pancreatic cancer.
‘It was a massive shock’
Kyle Jones, 31, is in the one percent of patients where the endoscope-i caught his cancer early and meant he had a lifesaving operation to remove his voicebox. After initially going to his GP after suffering from a hoarse voice for a few weeks he was referred for an endoscopy appointment at his GP practice who then referred him to Royal Stoke Hospital for a further endoscopy with the endoscope-i.
He was seen within 20 days of the referral being made to University Hospitals North Midlands after originally thought of being at low-risk of having cancer. He said: “I remember being confused at the time due my only symptom being a hoarse voice. It was like I had been singing too much at a gig the night before.”
After his endoscopy was reviewed by University Hospitals North Midlands head and neck cancer consultant, Ajith George, he was informed that the results showed that he had cancer. He said: “When I was told I had cancer it was a massive shock, but Mr George was able to give details and explain the plan to treat the cancer and he showed me the inside of my throat and explained what was wrong and that was very reassuring.”
As Kyle’s cancer was an aggressive form, he needed to have his voice box removed to prevent the cancer spreading further and can now only speak with the help of a speech valve. He now speaks using a small machine device that produces vibrations when a button is pressed. Kyle said: “The iPhone device is amazing, and it definitely sped things up for me to being able to get a diagnosis.
“I’m scared to even think where I’d be or what could have happened without this device. With how fast that my cancer developed after the first appointment to the stage where I needed a big laryngectomy surgery it makes me so grateful that it was picked up and in time and I believe that has saved my life.”
Despite the life changing surgery Kyle has kept a positive eye on the future and hopes to be able to complete a skydive soon, something that Mr George thinks might be a first for a laryngectomy patient. Kyle said: “Since the surgery, my outlook looks great, I’ve been able to go to festivals and trying to go out and get back to living life again. My main goal now that I am able to eat properly again is rebuilding my strength and eventually getting back to work.”
