University of Cambridge spin-out firm Cyted Health has developed a non-invasive test which uses AI to help NHS clinicians identify the early signs of oesophageal cancer in tissue samples.

Oesophageal cancer is one of the world's most lethal cancers - with only 13% of patients diagnosed with oesophageal cancer surviving for more than five years.

More than half of all cases are preventable, if a condition known as Barrett's oesophagus is found and treated early.

Cambridge researchers have invented a simple, cost-effective early oesophageal cancer detection test to help do just that. A patient swallows a capsule that opens into a small sponge when swallowed and collects cells from the oesophagus when withdrawn. The work of the Cyted Health labs involves digitising cell samples and testing for proteins that are very accurate for identifying Barrett’s oesophagus and progression towards oesophagus cancer.

Normally, analysing samples creates extra work for an already overstretched health service. Cyted Health uses deep learning pathology techniques, reducing burden for NHS staff with human pathologists only required to look at cases that aren't clear cut.

Cyted Health has now carried out 24,000 tests for the NHS and a UK wide trial called the BEST4 Heartburn Health Check involving 140,000 will see if this could become a national screening programme.