FIT

FIT or Fecal Immunochemical Test is a type of stool test used to detect blood in the feces, which can be a sign of colorectal cancer or other digestive system diseases.

Overview

The Fecal Immunochemical Test (FIT) is a non-invasive test that can be done at home. It is used to detect hidden blood in the stool, which can be an early sign of cancer. FIT only detects human blood from the lower intestines. Medicines and food do not interfere with the test. So it tends to be more accurate and have fewer false positive results than other tests.

Procedure

The FIT involves collecting a small sample of stool at home and mailing it to a laboratory for analysis. The test kit includes detailed instructions on how to collect the sample. It is important to follow these instructions carefully to ensure accurate results.

Results

A positive FIT result indicates that blood has been detected in the stool sample. This can be a sign of colorectal cancer or other conditions, such as polyps, ulcers, hemorrhoids, or inflammatory bowel disease. A negative result means that no blood was detected in the stool sample. However, a negative result does not rule out the possibility of colorectal cancer or other digestive diseases.

Limitations

While the FIT is a useful screening tool, it is not a definitive diagnostic test for colorectal cancer. If the test results are positive, further testing, such as a colonoscopy, is needed to determine the cause of the bleeding.

See Also

• Colonoscopy
• Colorectal cancer
• Digestive system
• Inflammatory bowel disease
• Polyps
• Ulcers

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