Sponge test ‘could benefit thousands of people’ with Barrett’s oesophagus

Undated handout photo of a Cytosponge test, one of those used to help diagnose oesophageal cancer. PA. - (PA Media)

Thousands of people being monitored for food pipe cancer could be spared invasive tests thanks to a “sponge on a string” check, research suggests.

A new study published in the Lancet medical journal found invasive endoscopies could be replaced for over half of patients with Barrett’s oesophagus.