Apple's iPhone technology under tests for faster throat cancer diagnosis in NHS trials

NHS trials iPhone-linked device for faster throat cancer diagnosis, reducing patient wait times from weeks to hours.

The UK’s National Health Service (NHS) is testing a new medical technology using the iPhone to help diagnose throat cancer.

Typically, patients must wait weeks for a consultation, but it’s hoped that a new smartphone-connected camera device will capture images instantly, enabling specialists to examine and deliver results within hours.

Janet Hennessy, a 76-year-old volunteer from Bradley, shared that this process often takes up to three weeks, adding that this app is excellent in comparison.

NHS National Cancer Director Dr. Kelly Palmer emphasized that early cancer detection is crucial for timely treatment, offering patients a better chance of recovery.

Suspected throat cancer patients usually undergo endoscopy, a hospital procedure where a long, thin tube equipped with a camera is inserted through the mouth or nose for internal examination.

The new Endoscope-i adapter, which attaches to an iPhone, includes a 32 mm lens, endoscope eyepiece, and app that helps nurses capture images and securely share them with experts via a protected cloud.

So far, over 1,800 patients in trials were confirmed cancer-free within days, allowing healthcare providers to focus on the smaller number of affected individuals.