Colon Cancer Screening Test

The fecal immunochemical test (FIT) is used as a screening test for colon cancer. It tests for hidden blood in the stool, which can be an early sign of cancer. FIT only detects human blood from the lower intestines. Medicines and food do not interfere with the test. So it tends to be more accurate and have fewer false positive results than other tests.

For colon cancer screening, you will be given the test to use at home. Be sure to follow the instructions provided. Most tests have the following steps:

Flush the toilet before having a bowel movement.
Put the used toilet paper in the waste bag provided. Do not put it into the toilet bowl.
Use the brush from the kit to brush the surface of the stool and then dip the brush into the toilet water.
Touch the brush on the space indicated on the test card.
Add the brush to the waste bag and throw it away.
Send the sample to the lab for testing.
Your health care provider may ask you to test more than one stool sample before sending it in.

The fecal immunochemical test (FIT) is used as a screening test for colon cancer. Your test results will show you if you are negative or positive for blood in your stool. A positive result does not mean that you have colon cancer. It simply means you should share your results with your healthcare provider to discuss next steps, which may include a colonoscopy.

FIT only detects human blood from the lower intestines. Medicines and food do not interfere with the test. So it tends to be more accurate and have fewer false positive results than other tests.

Colorectal cancer often has no symptoms in the early stages when it’s most treatable. This is why early, and regular, colorectal cancer screening is so important.

If symptoms do occur, they can include:
Blood visible in the stool
Changes in your bowel habits
Blood in or on your stool (bowel movement)
Abdominal pain, aches, or cramps that don’t go away
Unexplained weight loss
It’s crucial to bear in mind that screening tests are designed for individuals without symptoms to aid in the early diagnosis of conditions. If you’re already experiencing symptoms like visible blood in your stool, this screening test isn’t appropriate, and you should promptly consult your healthcare provider. Additional tests such as a colonoscopy might be necessary.

There’s a chance that this screening test might miss detecting blood in the stool of someone with cancer, known as a false negative. Therefore, it’s essential to discuss any symptoms or concerns with your doctor, regardless of whether your test results are normal.