FIT is a test for hidden blood in the stool. It is a non-invasive, at-home test that detects about 79 percent of colorectal cancers and 30 percent of large colorectal polyps. Because FIT is not as effective as colonoscopy at finding cancer or polyps, it should be done every year. The at-home screening kit is sent to a lab for testing, and people who have a positive result (blood detected) will need to undergo a colonoscopy. FIT has a false positive rate of about 5 percent.
PROS of FIT
• Simple
• Cost-effective
• Done at home
CONS of FIT
• Must be done yearly
• Can miss up to 21 percent of cancers and 70 percent of large polyps.
• False positive of 5%
• Viewed as unsanitary by some
• Patient must retrieve samples of stool from the toilet bowl
• All positive results MUST BE EVALUATED WITH A COLONOSCOPY