A Simple Option for Colorectal Cancer Screening

No one wakes up excited to talk about colorectal cancer screening, but avoiding it won’t make it go away. And if your mind immediately jumps to a colonoscopy, you’re not alone. For some patients, though, there may be a simpler place to start: a FIT test. 

While colonoscopy is an important and effective screening tool, it is not the only option for everyone. For some adults at average risk, a FIT test may offer a simple, at-home way to stay current with colorectal cancer screening.

How Is a FIT Test Different From a Colonoscopy?

Most people are familiar with a colonoscopy, a procedure that allows a healthcare provider to look directly inside the colon and rectum and remove certain polyps if they are found. A colonoscopy typically involves bowel preparation, changes to your diet beforehand, sedation, and some recovery time after the procedure.

A FIT test, on the other hand, is a stool-based test that can usually be completed at home. Your healthcare provider gives you a collection kit with instructions, and you collect a small stool sample and return it for testing. The test looks for small amounts of blood that may not be visible to the naked eye. Because polyps and colorectal cancers can sometimes bleed, detecting blood may indicate that additional testing is needed.

For some adults at average risk, FIT testing may be an appropriate alternative for routine screening. If a FIT test comes back positive, however, a colonoscopy is typically the next step to determine the cause.

What Does a Positive FIT Test Mean?

A positive FIT test does not mean that you have colorectal cancer. It means that blood was detected in the sample and your healthcare provider will likely recommend additional testing to determine why.

A colonoscopy is usually the next step after a positive FIT test because it allows a provider to examine the colon more closely and look for polyps, areas of bleeding or other changes.

Following through with that next step is an important part of the screening process. 

What About a Negative Result?

A negative result means that the test did not detect blood in the stool sample. That is reassuring, but it does not mean that you never need to be screened again. FIT is designed to be performed regularly, usually once a year, as part of ongoing preventive care.

Who Should Be Screened?

Most adults at average risk should begin colorectal cancer screening at age 45.

Some people may need to start earlier or may be better suited for a different type of screening because of factors such as:

  • A family history of colorectal cancer
  • A personal history of colorectal polyps
  • Inflammatory bowel disease
  • Certain inherited conditions
  • Other medical or family risk factors

Your healthcare provider can help determine which screening method and schedule make the most sense for you.

The Best Screening Test Is the One You Complete

Colorectal cancer can develop without noticeable symptoms, particularly in its early stages. That is why screening is recommended even when you feel healthy.

For some patients, that may mean a colonoscopy. For others, stool-based testing such as FIT may be an appropriate option.

The most important thing is not assuming that screening has to look a certain way, or putting it off because you are unsure where to start.

Start the Conversation with Teche Health

Your Teche Health provider can review your age, medical history and risk factors and help you determine an appropriate screening plan. Whether that includes a FIT test, colonoscopy or another screening option, the important thing is not putting screening off.

Talk with Teche Health about which colorectal cancer screening option is right for you.