NHS pilots smartphone device that rules out throat cancer faster

NHS England/PA Wire

By Storm Newton, PA Media

An adapter that transforms an iPhone into a portable tool to rapidly rule out throat cancer in those suspected of having the disease is being piloted by the NHS.

Officials hope the technology will cut the length of time patients wait to get the all-clear.

The endoscope-i adapter, which can be attached to an iPhone, includes a 32mm lens endoscope eyepiece and an accompanying app.

It allows nurses to capture endoscopy images live, with the footage shared with specialists who can detect any trace of cancer and report directly back to the patient within hours.

The device, being trialled in the West Midlands, could eventually be used in any health service setting, NHS England said.

There are about 250,000 urgent referrals for suspected head and neck cancer each year, according to NHS England. Of these, only 5% are diagnosed with cancer.

Dr Cally Palmer, national cancer director at NHS England, said: “While staff have been working hard to see and treat more people with cancer than ever before, we know that some people are still waiting too long to receive a diagnosis or the all-clear.