NHS patients are to benefit from new nanotech cameras ingested in the form of a pill-sized capsule to hunt for early signs of cancer. National trials of the “ingenious” new technology are due to start and, if successful, could save many lives by helping to catch the silent killer at the early stages of development it is easiest to treat.
Once swallowed as a capsule, the nano-sized camera passes through the bowel, taking images that are wirelessly transmitted to a recording device worn on a belt and shoulder bag. Ultimately, nature takes its course and the tiny camera is flushed away, having already provided a detailed view of the bowel.
NHS England chief executive Sir Simon Stevens is hopeful the new technology will lead to more patients going through cancer screening quickly and safely. Clearly impressed, he commented:
“What sounds like sci-fi is now becoming a reality. As these minute cameras pass through your body they take two pictures per second checking for signs of cancer and other conditions like Crohn’s disease.”
With the coronavirus crisis of the past year having an impact on the NHS’s ability to provide the usual level of care to non-coronavirus patients, Sir Simon says cancer services will be a top priority over coming months. There are concerns a lack of screening over the last 12 months will lead to a surge in cases being diagnosed at a later stage than they might have under normal conditions.
National trials of the new nanotech are to involve an initial group of 11,000 patients from across 40 areas in England. The capsule cameras will replace endoscopy screenings, which are more invasive and involve much more work to conduct. The new technology can also produce a diagnosis within just hours.
The logistics and specialist supervision involved in traditional endoscopy procedures mean NHS England had a waiting list 105,000 people long in December. More than half of the list had been waiting over 6 weeks for a screening that is extremely time sensitive when it comes to being acted on if required. The NHS’s target is that fewer than 1% of patients should have a wait of six weeks or more between referral and a diagnostic test.
The use of nanotech cameras becoming widely implemented for cancer screening a standard practise would be expected to drastically reduce waiting times.
British Society of Gastroenterology president Dr Alastair McKinlay commented:
“Colon capsule is a promising new technology that may offer a real advantage for some patients. For this reason, we welcome the opportunity for a proper service evaluation so that both the limitations and advantages of this technique can be properly assessed.”
Another enthusiastic appraisal of the nanotechnology’s potential was added by Dr Ed Seward, clinical head at University College London Hospital. The hospital is among those to have starting using the capsule cameras. He said:
“Not only does colon capsule increase our diagnostic capacity, because it doesn’t require the resources of a dedicated hospital space . . . it also allows us to do the examination in the patient’s home, so patients who may be shielding or cautious about going to a hospital can perform the procedure.”