Three purpose-built clinics rooms for the £1m research study in partnership with medical technology company Origin Sciences have opened at the CDC at Hollinswood House, Telford.

Over 1,100 symptomatic patients on the Colorectal Urgent Suspected Cancer pathway at SaTH have been recruited for a new test, which is quick and pain free, utilising the Oricol™ device by collecting samples. The samples are then tested at laboratories for abnormal cells from cancer and significant polyps.

If successful, eight out of 10 patients will know that they haven't got cancer within five days of the test, rather than having a 45-minute colonoscopy requiring full bowel preparation and a separate visit to hospital.

Jo Williams, chief executive at SaTH, said: ‘If the trial with this device is successful, it could mean that most people will not have to have a colonoscopy, which could save NHS money and result in the need for a million fewer outpatient clinic appointments per year across the UK.   

‘This also means that patients can get an answer much quicker, whether or not they need a colonoscopy, and we can diagnose colorectal cancer at a much earlier stage, which has the potential to save many hundreds and thousands of lives worldwide every year.'

Colorectal cancer affects 42,000 people a year (one in 17) in the UK and SaTH sees about 350 colorectal cancer cases a year.

With the current pathway each year more than 5,000 patients are discharged with no further action; more than 5,000 patients undergo prep and a ‘normal' colonoscopy and the cost to the rrust is £3-5m per year.