Cameras for cancer - 29th March 2021

A large-scale trial of an ingestible, miniature capsule camera to detect early signs of bowel cancer is about to be launched by the UK’s National Health Service.

Ingested by the patient, the revolutionary PillCam makes its way into the gut via the oesophagus, capturing high resolution images of the intestinal tract at a rate of 10 images every five seconds. The photos, beamed to a recorder attached to the patient’s waist, are then analysed by a specialist for any signs of cancer and chronic conditions such as Crohn’s disease.

The trial of this procedure, known as a colon capsule endoscopy, is set to include 11,000 participants from across over 40 different locations in England. Rather than endure the complicated, traditional, hospital-based procedure, they can undertake this painless endoscopy at home.

Professor Peter Johnson, NHS clinical director for cancer is optimistic about the trial: "Every year in England, we diagnose around 42,000 people with bowel cancer, that's more than 100 people a day. We think that this camera test might be a better option than waiting for a normal colonoscopy."

Figures provided by Cancer Research UK show an annual rate of approximately 16,600 bowel cancer related deaths. In addition, the charity emphasises the need for prompt diagnosis if patients are to be successfully treated. This is often hampered by patient hesitancy over coming forward for an invasive, undignified endoscopy procedure.

"We know that there are people out there – they may well have early symptoms, aches and pains, bloating in the stomach, blood in their poo – and they haven't come forward," Prof Johnson explained.

Eliminating the need for lengthy waits for hospital-based investigations and the ordeal of a traditional colonoscopy, the PillCam has the potential to revolutionise bowel cancer screening, reduce unnecessary deaths and improve patient outcomes.