LONDON: The NHS is piloting a new iPhone adapter to speed up the detection and diagnosis of throat cancer, with the potential to clear thousands of patients more quickly and catch cases at an earlier stage, local media reported.
The endoscope-i adapter, which attaches to an iPhone, comes with a 32mm lens eyepiece and is used alongside an app. The device enables nurses to capture high-definition endoscopy footage and share it directly with specialists, who can then report results to patients. Typically, those suspected of having throat cancer undergo an endoscopy, involving the insertion of a camera through the mouth or nose to examine the throat.
An initial pilot conducted by the North Midlands University Hospitals NHS Trust proved successful, giving reassurance to over 1,800 low-risk patients who received results within 23 hours. The device also detected cancer in approximately one out of every hundred patients tested, without any cases being missed during the trial.
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The NHS stated that the technology could potentially be deployed nationwide in diagnostic centres and community settings. This would reduce the need for hospital visits, cut waiting times, and free up medical resources.
Dr. Cally Palmer, national cancer director at NHS England, emphasized the importance of early cancer detection. “Detecting cancer early is key to providing treatment as soon as possible to help give patients the best chance of survival. For those needing tests to investigate suspected cancer, it can be an extremely worrying time, and being able to rule out the disease sooner can make a huge difference for people and their families,” she said.
Each year, the NHS handles around 250,000 urgent referrals for suspected head and neck cancers, though only 5% are ultimately diagnosed with the disease.
