COVID RESTRICTIONS HAVE HAD A CATASTROPHIC IMPACT ON THE OESOPHAGEAL CANCER DETECTION RATES IN PARTICULAR
important with regard to the symptoms of oesophageal cancer. Some GPs will never see a case of it, yet 400 people die from it each year in Scotland. There’s no doubt that the diagnosis process will be greatly improved by the provision of the Cytosponge procedure in GP surgeries.’
Cytosponge is an alternative to endoscopy for diagnosis of pre and early oesophageal cancer as part of upper GI endoscopy recovery planning. The procedure has been developed to diagnose precancerous Barrett’s Oesophagus (known as pre-malignant lesion or oesophageal adenocarcinoma) and, to date, has demonstrated safety and patient acceptability.
The technique requires significantly less resource in terms of staff and equipment, with a lower risk environment for viral contamination and has major healthcare savings compared to endoscopy. The Cytosponge test was developed by researchers at the University of Cambridge and Addenbrooke’s hospital and was initiated in Scotland by Professor Grant Fullarton, working in
liaison with Professor Fitzgerald, and was further developed with the support of clinical staff throughout NHS Scotland.
The Scottish Government is currently working at pace with Health Boards, National Services Scotland (NSS), and industry partners to adopt Cytosponge as part of the recovery of services during the pandemic.
Kate Cunningham, Campaign Director at oesophageal cancer charity OCHRE, feels that pharmacists have a role to play in raising awareness of this less well-recognised type of cancer.
‘COVID restrictions have had a catastrophic impact on the oesophageal cancer detection rates in particular,’ she told SP. ‘In addition, people have been so wary of creating additional burden on family doctors during this past year but we would urge anyone experiencing symptoms like heartburn, reflux, persistent hiccups and difficulty swallowing to speak to their GP without delay where, hopefully, the roll out of Cytosponge will
make it quicker and easier to identify those in need of further investigation.
‘Our message to our community pharmacists is clear. Please ask anyone buying Gaviscon or Rennies how often they experience heartburn or and are using this medication. If the answer is regularly then urge them to see their GP. A timely diagnosis could be a life saved.
‘Oesophageal cancer is the ninth most common cancer in Scotland and fifth most common cause of cancer death. We need to improve survival rates and one of the key ways of doing that is to make sure people understand that heartburn can be a sign and symptom that needs to be discussed with your GP.’
www.ochrecharity.org.uk
Symptoms of oesophageal cancer •Swallowing difficulties, or a sensation of food sticking in the chest
•Pain or discomfort as food passes down the oesophagus
•Persistent heartburn/acid reflux (persistent would be two to three weeks without passing off)
•Persistent cough or hoarseness •Persistent hiccups •Regurgitation of food on a regular basis •Persistent nausea/retching/heaving • Unexpected weight loss/unusual tiredness
WE NEED TO IMPROVE SURVIVAL RATES AND ONE OF THE KEY WAYS OF DOING THAT IS TO MAKE SURE PEOPLE UNDERSTAND THAT HEARTBURN CAN BE A SIGN
Allan Lapsley Kate Cunningham
scottishpharmacist.com 27
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48
