An NHS research team in Teesside has hit a national first in a study looking at the impact of a capsule patients swallow to help detect bowel cancer.
The research service at North Tees and Hartlepool NHS Foundation Trust has recruited the first patient into the ColoCap trial this week.
As part of the diagnostic tests Elaine Colclough had, she was asked to ingest a pill-sized capsule which takes thousands of pictures as it travels through the gut.
The camera sends the images wirelessly to a data recorder worn on a patient’s waist.
Elaine then returned from the endoscopy unit at the University Hospital of North Tees to her home in Bishopton with the recorder while she waited for the capsule to pass through her stomach and bowel.
Later that day she then returned to the hospital unit to have a separate colonoscopy procedure.
This is where a flexible, lighted tube is inserted into the rectum to examine the lining of the large intestine (colon) for abnormalities like polyps or cancer.
The study is aiming to test how accurate the capsule is in catching issues when compared to a colonoscopy procedure normally used to test for problems.
Elaine, who lives in Bishopton village, said: “When I was asked whether I would be interested in being a part of the study I thought it sounded really interesting.
“I looked at it as having double the amount of tests for any issues.
“The main challenge was not being able to eat before the test. Hopefully this test is something that can work for other people too.”
Less invasive test for patients
Carol Adams, gastroenterology research nurse, is the trust’s lead nurse for the study.
She said: “We are really proud to be the first trust in the country to recruit a patient to this national study.
“People like Elaine are helping us find out how effective this test can be.
“If successful, it could mean some patients may not always need a colonoscopy, which is a much more invasive test.”
The ColoCap study is being led by York and Scarborough Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust and funded by the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR).
Consultant in gastroenterology John Jacob has been leading on the capsule test for the trust over the last four years.
He said: “The capsule has been already been a fantastic development for the service.
“Unlike a colonoscopy which is invasive and potentially uncomfortable for patients, this capsule is easy to swallow and works its way quickly through the gut and bowel.
“When we had the chance to be involved in research to look at its accuracy compared to a colonoscopy procedure, it was something we really wanted to be a part of.
“Thanks to patients like Elaine we can find answers to this and potentially improve the care we give to patients like her.”
To find out about the study, visit ColoCap study page.