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What is being tested?

The faecal immunochemical test (FIT) checks for blood in your faeces. Normally, only a very small amount of blood is lost in the stomach or intestines. This is less than you can see in your faeces and is not enough to be detected with a FIT test

A positive FIT test will tell your doctor that you have bleeding occurring somewhere in your gastrointestinal tract. This blood loss could be due to ulcers, bulges, polyps, inflammatory bowel disease, haemorrhoids (piles), swallowed blood from bleeding gums or nosebleeds, or it could be due to early bowel cancer. Anything that sticks out into the intestine, like a polyp or tumour, and is rubbed against by the faeces as it passes through, has the potential to bleed now and again. Often this small amount of blood is the first, and sometimes the only, symptom of early bowel cancer.

Which patients are eligible for FIT?

The main use for the FIT test is as to find early bowel cancer. Blood in the stool may be the only symptom of early cancer. If the cancer is detected before it spreads to other areas, there is a greater chance it will be cured. The signs and symptoms of bowel cancer are not always easy to see.

How do you get tested?

Your GP will give you a pack containing all the information and equipment you need to collect your faecal sample and send it to the laboratory. Inside the pack you will find the:

• Collection device
• Plastic green bag
• Instruction sheet

Your GP should also give you a completed sample request form to include with the sample, if this has not been done then please ask the practice to do this for you.

Read the instructions carefully. Collect your sample as per the instructions, including labelling the collection device and green bag. Put the collection device into the green bag and place it into the envelope with the sample request form provided by your GP. The sample should then be returned to your GP surgery, and will then be transported to the laboratory for analysis.

How soon can I expect the results?

GPs will receive the results of the analysis within 10 working days from the date the test is sent to the laboratory. Your GP may then need to decide what is the next best step for you but if you have not heard within 14 days please contact the practice.

What do the results mean?

If the FIT test is negative (<10 μg Hb/g faeces) it is very unlikely you have bowel cancer. You therefore do not need referral for suspected bowel cancer. If your GP is concerned that worrying symptoms persist they may do further tests or refer you for specialist advice. This will be done in line with local arrangements.

If the FIT test is positive (>10 μg Hb/g faeces) this does not necessarily ‘prove’ that you have cancer. There are other possible causes of bleeding and other follow-up procedures will need to be done to find the source of the bleeding. Your GP is likely to refer you for further investigations and this may be done urgently