A simple test that spots people at high risk of one of the most deadly cancers is being developed by scientists.

It could save lives by identifying those destined for oesophageal cancer early, allowing them to have treatment when it is most effective.

Those deemed to be a low-risk of the disease would be spared the worry and discomfort of regular check-ups.

Oesophageal cancer is the eighth most common cancer in the world with 456,000 new cases diagnosed in 2012.

Britain has one of the highest rates of cancer of the oesophagus – the food pipe that runs between the throat and stomach – in Europe, with almost 9,000 new cases a year.

It is the sixth most common cause of cancer death and survival rates are abysmal with just 15 per cent of patients alive five years after diagnosis.

Drinking, smoking and obesity all raise the odds of the disease but by far the biggest driver is a condition called Barrett’s oesophagus, which affects 1.5million Britons.

Heartburn occurs when the acidic contents of the stomach splash up the oesophagus.

Over years the splashed acid can cause changes to the type of cells lining the oesophagus and they become pre-cancerous, known as Barrett’s oesophagus.

With no way of telling just who will go on to develop cancer, Barrett’s patients undergo regular endoscopies – tests in which they swallow a long tube with a camera on the end.

This can be uncomfortable and time-consuming and patients face and anxious wait for the results.

Now, researchers of Queen Mary University of London have shown it is possible to work out which patients are at high risk of cancer by looking at the genetic make-up of their cells.

The cells are removed from the inside of the food pipe by small brushes attached to an endoscopy tube.

Tests on samples from 300 Barrett’s patients showed that if all the cells in a sample are the same, the patient is very unlikely to develop cancer.

However, if they are very different, their odds of the disease are high.

It is thought the greater the variety, the more likely it is that one will be the ‘bad egg’ that will trigger cancer.

More research is needed but, if successful, the genetic test could be in widespread use within ten years.

Those at high risk could be treated early, nipping the cancer in the bud, while those at low risk would need fewer endoscopies, sparing them time, discomfort and worry and saving the NHS money.

Researcher Dr Trevor Graham said: ‘We have shown that some Barrett’s oesophagus lesions are ‘born to be bad’ – and conversely that some are ‘born to be benign’.

‘Once these results are validated in other patients and over longer periods of time, we will be able to say with confidence which people with the benign form can be spared unnecessary endoscopy and worry.

‘This will dramatically improve the quality of life for people with Barrett’s, and provide substantial cost saving to healthcare providers.’

Professor Chris Hawkey, chairman of gut disease charity Core, said:’ Barrett’s oesophagus is the precursor to oesophageal (gullet) cancer which has a very poor prognosis and is increasing because obesity is a pre-disposing factor.

‘We believe that there is a need for a simple screening approach to detect problems at a time when newly developed and highly effective treatments can nip the problem in the bud.

‘Identifying people whose cells are “born to be bad” has the potential to be part of that strategy.’

The research was done jointly with the Academic Medical Center in Amsterdam and is reported in the journal Nature Communications

Written by Fiona MaCrae, Science Correspondent for The Daily Mail ~ August 19, 2016.

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