The UK National Health Service (National Health Service) stated on Saturday that thousands of patients could be cleared for suspected throat cancer faster as a result of a new iPhone device and pilot application in some of its hospitals.
The innovative adapter that provides a 32mm lens and the accompanying app can convert a iPhone on a portable diagnostic device that nurses will use to detect or rule out throat cancer.
The device captures live throat endoscopy examinations in high definition (HD), which can then be shared instantly with head and neck specialist consultants via a secure data cloud.
A consultant then reviews the video and can quickly detect any trace of cancer, reporting it directly to the patient.
“Early detection of cancer is key to providing treatment as soon as possible and helping patients have the best chance of survival. For those who need tests to investigate suspected cancer, it can be an extremely worrying time.
“And being able to rule out the disease sooner can make a big difference to people and their families,” said Dr. Cally Palmer, national cancer director for NHS England.
“Through pioneering new innovations like this iPhone device, which could be used in any setting, we hope to be able to detect many more cancers earlier and in ways that are more convenient and less invasive for patients,” he said.
An initial trial in classified low-risk patients at the University Hospitals of the North Midlands NHS Trust in England found that no cancers were missed using this device and patients received their results within 23 hours of having screening done. the test.
With the technology being initially rolled out in the West Midlands, NHS England says this “pioneering” device could be used in any NHS setting, helping to free up time and resources in hospitals for cancer patients and reduce waiting times for treatment. treatment.
In the future, it could be used in diagnostic centers and community settings, meaning people will be able to get tested closer to home and reduce the need to go to any hospital.
“This new technology is a shining example of how innovation and research can tackle waiting lists, improve the patient experience and speed up diagnosis,” said UK Minister of State for Health Karin Smyth.
“By using the app, patients can access a potentially life-saving consultation. By detecting cancer earlier and treating it faster, we can ensure more people survive this horrible disease. Harnessing technology to support the NHS is one part key part of our 10-year Health Plan. and will shift the NHS from analogue to digital, equipping the health service with more advanced technologies to detect cancer early,” he said.
So far, more than 1,800 patients have been assured that in just a few days they will not suffer from throat cancer.
The vast majority of patients identified as low risk who were screened with the device had cancer ruled out, although around one in a hundred of this low risk group were found to have cancer using the device.
The device has been developed by a West Midlands-based medical technology company. Endoscope-i Ltdwhich is one of 14 projects to receive a share of GBP 25 million as part of the NHS Cancer Program Open Call for Innovation.
Other innovations that have been tested as part of the program include a sponge that can be used to detect esophageal cancer and a home testing kit for people who have a genetic predisposition to a fault in the gene that causes some types of breast cancer. , ovarian, prostate and pancreatic cancer.
