Gastro
Faecal Immunochemical Test
Cambridge Clinical Laboratories (CCL) is opening up the availability of the FIT (Faecal Immunochemical Test) to all.
How it works
The FIT analyses a stool sample to identify possible signs of bowel cancer, such as blood in the stool. Patients with a positive FIT result can be referred for further investigation. The earlier bowel cancer is found the more effective treatments will be, and more curable the cancer.
How it helps
Bowel cancer is the fourth most common cancer in the UK and the second biggest cancer killer. Nearly 43,000 people are diagnosed with bowel cancer every year in the UK. The FIT test is currently used by the NHS in over 50’s to screen for bowel cancer. However more than 2,600 people under 50 are diagnosed each year in the UK. These individuals will be missed by the screening programme and therefore diagnosis won’t come until they develop symptoms and go through the NHS pathway for diagnosis. This test reaches those people. Bowel cancer is treatable and curable especially if diagnosed early. Nearly everyone survives bowel cancer if diagnosed at the earliest stage. However, this drops significantly as the disease develops. Early diagnosis saves lives.
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Accessing FIT via CCL
Healthcare professionals should please contact CCL. Patients should please refer your healthcare professional to CCL and ask them to get in touch. Please note that Cambridge Clinical Laboratories HCP services are only available through a professional healthcare provider.
