Pill cameras for cancer - 29th March 2021

A new device to help identify cancer is being trialled by the UK’s National Health Service. A miniature camera which is contained inside a pill is swallowed by the patient.

The ‘PillCam’ then travels through their intestines and takes a picture every two seconds. These are transmitted to a machine which the patient carries in a bag round their waist.

The pill camera has been specifically designed for bowel cancer, stomach cancer and digestive diseases. Every year in the UK, around 16,600 people die from bowel cancer. If the signs of bowel cancer are found early, patients can be treated more effectively. This increases people’s chances of survival.

Current methods of testing for bowel cancer in hospital are complicated and need a lot of equipment. These investigations are also quite uncomfortable for the patient. As a result, some people with early symptoms delay going for tests.

Professor Johnson is the director of NHS cancer treatments. He said, "We think this camera test might be a better option".

Around 11,000 patients across England will take part in the pill camera trial. Doctors and scientists are extremely excited. They expect it to make checking for cancer much more convenient for hospitals and patients.