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Beyond The Colonoscopy: The FIT For Colon Cancer Screening
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When you hear the term "colon cancer screening," you probably first think of a colonoscopy. Indeed, performing colonoscopies is a common way to screen for colon cancer. But the colonoscopy is not the only colon cancer screening procedure that exists. In some cases, your doctor may instead recommend a screening protocol known as FIT, or Fecal Immunochemical Testing. Here's what you need to know about FIT as a colon cancer screening procedure.
How is FIT performed?
The FIT is not a visual test like a colonoscopy. Rather, it is a test that assesses whether or not you may have colon cancer based on the presence or absence of certain compounds in your stool. A stool sample is collected, the stool is then applied to a testing card, and the testing card is then sent to the laboratory for analysis. If the laboratory finds any evidence of certain blood cells in the stool, this may indicate that you have colon cancer. If these blood cells are absent from the sample, you'll be considered to have had a negative test.
Where is the FIT performed?
In most cases, your doctor will send you home with a sample collection kit that you can use, on your own time, to collect a sample of your stool. You'll bring the kit with the collected sample back to your doctor's office.
Occasionally, your doctor may have you perform the test in their office. There will generally be a private bathroom you can use for these purposes. However, since defecating on-cue in a public bathroom can be difficult for many patients, in-office sample collection is only used if there's a good reason, such as hospitalization or a tight schedule.
What happens if your FIT test comes back positive?
If your FIT test comes back positive, that does not necessarily mean you have colon cancer. It simply means you may have colon cancer, and that additional testing is necessary. Your doctor will likely send you for imaging tests, such as a colonoscopy, to get a better idea of whether you truly do have colon cancer. If you do have colon cancer, the good news is that when it's caught early, such as with a FIT, it is generally quite treatable.
The FIT is just one method of screening for colon cancer. While it's a little strange and may make some patients squeamish, it is painless and requires far less prep than a colonoscopy. Turn to your doctor if you have any additional questions or concerns.
For more information on colon cancer screening, contact a company near you.
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