New iPhone adapter that checks patients for cancer could transform early diagnosis

A new iPhone adapter that checks patients for cancer could completely transform early diagnosis.

In the UK, the NHS has been trialing a new adapter for the iPhone which can detect cancer.

The hope is that thousands of people will be able to find out whether or not they have throat cancer within a matter of hours.

The device can speed up the diagnosis process (John Keeble/Getty Images)

This will speed up the diagnosis process, which currently takes days or weeks to complete.

But this new method of checking for the disease means patients will be able to get the all-clear quickly as well as early detection.

Usually, people who are suspected of having throat cancer undergo an endoscopy, involving a long tube with a camera being put through their mouth and down their throat.

But all of that could soon change.

The endoscope-i adapter is a device that can be attached to Apple phones and includes an app as well as a 32mm lens endoscope eyepiece.

Using the tech, medics are able to snap footage from the endoscopy in high definition to share with specialists quickly.

A pilot is currently underway at the North Midlands University Hospitals NHS Trust where they say results are being received ‘within 23 hours’.

The device can be attached to an iPhone (endoscope-i)

National cancer director at NHS England Dr Cally Palmer said: “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.”

One person who took part in the trial, Janet Hennessy, said: “When you have a procedure done and you've got to go back home and wait two or three weeks, even if you think there's nothing there, you're still thinking about it and it worries you and your family.”

Another person, Kyle Jones, also took part in the trial and added: “I remember being confused at the time due to my only symptom being a hoarse voice. It was like I had been singing too much at a gig the night before.

“I'm scared to even think where I'd be or what could have happened without this device.

“With how fast that my cancer developed after the first appointment to the stage where I needed a big laryngectomy surgery it makes me so grateful that it was picked up and in time and I believe that has saved my life.”