Testing a swallowable balloon to detect early esophageal cancer risk

This trial is testing a new screening method called EsoCheck—a small swallowable balloon that gently collects cells from your esophagus in about 5 minutes without needing sedation or a camera down your throat. The cells are then analyzed using a DNA test called EsoGuard to detect Barrett's esophagus, a condition that can lead to a serious type of esophageal cancer. The researchers want to prove this method works well in people who don't have chronic heartburn but are still at risk for developing this cancer.

Esophageal adenocarcinoma is a deadly cancer that is often caught too late. Most people with warning signs (Barrett's esophagus) never get screened because current screening requires an uncomfortable procedure with sedation and is expensive. This trial exists to see if a simple, non-invasive swallowable balloon test can find these warning signs in people who wouldn't normally be offered screening.