The FIT (faecal immunochemical test) is done to test for 'hidden' blood in poo. This is blood that cannot be seen by the naked eye. The stool sample is sent to the laboratory and they give it a number anything below 10 means there is no blood detected (fit negative). Anything over 10 means that blood has been found (FIT positive) the highest number is 400.
Try not to read too much into how high the reading is, this does not mean it is cancer nor does it necessarily mean that you are at a higher risk of it being cancer. Finding blood means that further tests are needed such as acolonoscopy so the doctor can take a closer look at the bowel.
Most people referred to the hospital with a positive FIT test will not have cancer. As well as ruling out cancer, the doctors will be looking for other non-cancerous conditions such as polyps or diverticular disease.
I hope this helps a little. Please feel free to get back to us if you need any more information or support. You may find it helpful to talk things through with one of the nurses on our helpline. The number to call is Freephone 0808 800 4040 and the lines are open from 9am till 5pm Monday to Friday.
Hi, I've been bleeding from back passage on and off for months. The last colonoscopy I had was April last year. The result was not positive but I had raised inflammation. This time the FIT test has come back positive. Doctors letter quoted FIT (90) and FCP (1144) They have said I need another colonoscopy which I'm waiting to hear.
Does anyone understand what the result means? Should I be worried (obviously I am worrying but currently don't understand the results)
Any advice welcomed, thank you
I have colonoscopy booked in for this Saturday. Will they give me the result there and then?
Hi, I've been bleeding from back passage on and off for months. The last colonoscopy I had was April last year. The result was not positive but I had raised inflammation. This time the FIT test has come back positive. Doctors letter quoted FIT (90) and FCP (1144) They have said I need another colonoscopy which I'm waiting to hear.
Does anyone understand what the result means? Should I be worried (obviously I am worrying but currently don't understand the results)
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I am sorry to hear you are going through these investigations, it must be a worry for you.
FIT (Faecal Immunochemical Test) is a test that looks for blood in a sample of your poo. It looks for tiny traces of blood that you might not be able to see, and which could be a sign of cancer.
FCP (Faecal calprotectin) measures inflammation in the bowel. This could be a sign of bowel conditions that are not cancer but could also be a sign of cancer.
Both these tests do not mean anyone necessarily has cancer. I realise that having another colonoscopy must be a worry but sometimes tests need to be repeated to see if there is anything the matter.
I hope you get your repeat colonoscopy done soon and don't wait too long for the results soon. In the meantime you may find it helpful to talk things through with one of the nurses on our helpline. The number to call is Freephone 0808 800 4040 and the lines are open from 9am till 5pm Monday to Friday.
