Taking Research on the Road: Landmark BEST4 Trial Featured on ITV News

The BEST4 trial, led by Cambridge University Hospitals and the University of Cambridge, and supported by NIHR and Cancer Research UK, will involve 40,000 participants over a three year period. Its focus is on the capsule sponge test, a simple, cost-effective alternative to endoscopy that can detect a key risk factor – Barrett’s oesophagus – long before cancer develops.

The unit is one of five in the BEST4 fleet, designed to bring the study directly into communities, allowing participants to access the trial quickly and conveniently. The initiative aims to drive earlier diagnosis, reduce pressure on NHS waiting lists, and ultimately, save lives.

During the segment, viewers met John Paffett, one of the trial’s participants, who shared his motivation to take part in the study - it took five years for the cancer in John's leg to be diagnosed, resulting in an amputation when he was sixteen. His experience underscores just how vital early detection can be.

“It’s important to get a diagnosis as early as possible. The test is easy, simple, and I’ll get the results very quickly.” John, BEST4 Trial participant

The capsule sponge test offers a far less invasive method for identifying those who may need further investigation. Irene Debiram-Beecham, Principal Research Nurse at the University of Cambridge, who has worked on the capsule sponge study for over two decades, explained:

“We have many patients who suffer with heartburn and acid reflux — and some of them have undetected Barrett’s oesophagus. Too often, the first time we see them is when they already have cancer.” 

Bringing this innovation into community settings via mobile clinical research units units ensures more people have access to early screening - closer to home - and helps hospitals focus endoscopy services where they are most needed.

At EMS Healthcare, we’re proud to be supporting the BEST4 trial with five flexible, welcoming mobile research units designed for community-based clinical trials, expanding the study's reach and making participation more accessible than ever.

If your organisation is looking to deliver healthcare or research in community settings, our mobile units can help you get there.

Learn more about our mobile clinical solutions: Clinical Research | EMS Healthcare