Faecal Immunochemical Test (FIT)

Improving FIT completion and return is presented as an important route to earlier colorectal cancer detection. The September 2010 date restriction for the review reflects the period when FIT began replacing older detection methods. FIT is a non-invasive home-based stool test that detects early degradation products of blood in faeces. Approximately 2.1 million unreturned FIT kits per year cause an estimated £11.1 million financial loss to the NHS and generate unnecessary non-recyclable waste. Approximately 30% of CRC screening FIT kits and 10% of symptomatic FIT kits are not returned. FIT is used in symptomatic care for adults presenting with possible bowel cancer symptoms such as altered bowel habits, abdominal pain, rectal bleeding, and weight loss. FIT is used in screening for population-based programmes for people over 50, regardless of symptoms.