Malaysian doctor helps develop simpler oesophageal cancer screening test

The capsule sponge encapsulated with a vegetarian gelatine (left) and in its expanded form (right). — Dr TAN WEI KEITH

Researchers in Britain have come up with a simpler, quicker and non-invasive way of monitoring Barrett's oesophagus, a precursor to oesophageal cancer.

The current method of monitoring is via endoscopy, where a long tube with a camera is inserted through the mouth and down into the oesophagus.