Patients in the West Midlands are among the first to benefit from the introduction of a simple and accurate new test for bladder cancer.
The GALEAS Bladder test requires a urine sample and can be done at home. It means many patients will avoid the necessity of an invasive cystoscopy which has to be done in a hospital and can be uncomfortable.
GALEAS Bladder has been introduced by University Hospitals Coventry and Warwickshire (UHCW) NHS Trust and is now being adopted by other West Midlands Trusts.
Altan Omer (pictured) is a Consultant Urologist at UHCW and Chair of West Midlands Cancer Alliance’s Urology Expert Advisory Group.
He said: “GALEAS Bladder is a breakthrough because it is very simple and convenient for the patient, and also very accurate.
“Unfortunately, some patients decline to have a cystoscopy, which involves the insertion of a camera into the bladder. That means a diagnosis and treatment can be significantly delayed. In trials there was no comparable reluctance to take the GALEAS test, which can be done in privacy at home before being sent for analysis.
“It avoids patients having to go to hospital and it has been shown to be better at diagnosing bladder cancer than cystoscopy, with a very high accuracy rate.”
The test has been developed by Birmingham-based Nonacus. Chief Executive Jeff Bousfield said: “Patients want clear answers quickly, and you can understand why.
“If a urine sample can help give someone a result sooner and avoid a hospital procedure they may not need, most people would rather do that. We’ve worked closely with local clinicians and it’s rewarding to see something developed here making a real difference.”
More than 6,000 people per year die of bladder cancer in the UK. Symptoms include blood in urine, pain while urinating and the need to go more often.
Altan added: “It is important that people displaying these symptoms see their GP and are tested, but most people who undergo a cystoscopy do not have bladder cancer. This should help ensure fewer people who do not need a cystoscopy are referred and cut the time it takes for those that do need one, meaning we see the right people more quickly.”
It is planned GALEAS Bladder will be adopted by most hospital trusts within the West Midlands by April 2027.
