Feasibility Study to Investigate Rectal Mucus in Aero-Digestive Tract Cancer.

Imagine your body's inside lining, from your throat all the way to your bowel, and even including organs like your lungs and pancreas. This lining is all connected and shares some similar features because it developed from the same basic cells when you were forming as a baby. Cancers that start in these areas can sometimes shed tiny bits of themselves, including cells and DNA, into the gut. These bits then travel through your digestive system.

This study is exploring whether we can collect these tiny bits of cancer-related DNA and cells from a simple sample of mucus taken from your rectum (the very end of your bowel). We're using a special, easy-to-use device called OriCol™ for this. The main idea is to see if this method is actually possible and if it can reliably find signs of cancers that aren't directly in the bowel, such as lung, bladder, or pancreatic cancer.

Why does this matter? Well, during big health crises like the Covid-19 pandemic, getting traditional cancer tests, like scopes, became much harder. This made it clear that we need simpler ways to check people for cancer, especially in a GP's surgery. This new test could be quick, less uncomfortable than other tests, and could help doctors decide who needs more detailed investigations, potentially finding cancers much earlier.