FIT Tests: Making Colorectal Cancer Screening Easier
FIT Tests: Making Colorectal Cancer Screening Easier
Regular preventive screenings can make a life-changing difference—especially when it comes to cancer. According to the American Cancer Society, colorectal cancer is the third-leading cause of cancer-related deaths in men—and fourth in women——in the United States. Though a leading cause of cancer-related death, colorectal cancer can be caught early, when it is easier to treat, through a process called cancer screening.
“Most colorectal cancers start as small growths called polyps,” says Catherine Platt, PA-C, an internal medicine specialist at University of Utah Health. “These polyps are usually harmless at first, but if they stay in the colon too long, some can slowly turn into cancer. Polyps almost never cause significant symptoms, which is why regular screening is so important. Finding and removing polyps early can stop cancer before it starts, and when cancer is caught early, it is highly treatable.”
While a colonoscopy remains the gold standard for colorectal cancer screening, fecal immunochemical tests (FIT) provide a simple at-home option for those with an average risk.
How FIT Screenings Work
FIT tests can detect hidden blood in your stool, which can be an early sign of colorectal cancer or pre-cancerous polyps.
To perform the test, you collect a stool sample using a kit applicator, place it into a tube, and mail it for testing. There is no preparation or recovery, and you can take the test at home. Adults ages 45 and older who are at average risk are recommended to perform a FIT screening once a year.
The benefits of FIT testing include:
- No diet changes or prep
- No time off work
- Done at home
- Less expensive than a colonoscopy
- Usually covered by insurance
“If a FIT test comes back positive, the most important thing to remember is not to panic,” Platt says. “A positive result does not mean someone has cancer. It simply means that the test found blood and that we need to look more closely to understand why.”
After getting a positive result, you’ll need to schedule a colonoscopy.
Assess Your Risk: Who Should Not Use a FIT Test
FIT screenings work best for people who have an average risk of developing colorectal cancer. FIT testing is not recommended if any of the following apply to you:
- A personal history of colorectal cancer or colorectal polyps (especially precancerous adenomas)
- A family history of colorectal cancer (especially a first-degree relative diagnosed at a younger age)
- Active symptoms of colorectal cancer, such as abdominal pain, changes in bowel habits, or visible blood in your stool
- A diagnosis of inflammatory bowel disease (IBS), Crohn’s disease, or ulcerative colitis
- A diagnosis of a genetic syndrome such as familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP) or Lynch syndrome
These indicate a higher risk of colorectal cancer, which means a colonoscopy is a better screening option for you.
Avoid taking a FIT test if:
- You are menstruating
- You have active bleeding from hemorrhoids or ulcers
Blood from these scenarios can interfere with results and cause a false positive.
Talk with your health care provider about which colorectal cancer screening is right for you based on your sex, age, family history, and smoking history.
The Importance of Early Detection
According to the Colorectal Cancer Alliance, one in three eligible people have not been screened for colorectal cancer. Yet regular screening is the key to catching cancer early or before it even develops. Early detection means the cancer likely hasn’t spread to other parts of the body yet, which can allow for more treatment options and a better prognosis.
“The FIT test removes many of the barriers that keep people from getting screened,” Platt says. “This is especially helpful for people who live in rural areas, have lower incomes, or have trouble getting to a doctor’s office. By making screening simple and affordable, the FIT test helps more people get checked on time, leading to earlier diagnosis, better treatment outcomes, and even reducing deaths from colorectal cancer by about one‑third.”
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