No test is 100% accurate. There is a chance that a pre-cancerous polyp or cancer can be missed if it wasn’t bleeding when the test was done. Regular screening gives you the best chance of colorectal cancer being found early, when treatment may be more successful.

what percentage of positivefittests are cancer?

Colorectal cancer is cancer that starts in the colon or rectum. Part of the digestive system, the colon and rectum are also called the large bowel or large intestine. Because cancers of the colon and rectum are alike they’re called colorectal cancer. Colorectal cancer can develop from some polyps (abnormal tissue) that grow on the inner wall of the colon and rectum. Not all polyps are cancerous, but some polyps may turn into cancer. These pre-cancerous polyps can grow for a long time without causing symptoms before they become cancer.

The FIT is the recommended screening test for everyone aged 50 to 74 at average risk (no personal or family history of colorectal cancer). Colonoscopy is another test that is used to screen for colorectal cancer in people who have an increased risk. This means that if you've been told you have polyps in your colon, have had colorectal cancer, or have a family history of colorectal cancer, you should talk with your family doctor about colonoscopy.

The Fecal Immunochemical Test (FIT) is a home stool (poop) test that looks for blood in the stool. There can be many reasons that blood may be found in the stool, including colorectal cancer.

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It takes 1 to 2 weeks for the results. The lab sends the test result to your family doctor and the Alberta Colorectal Cancer Screening Program. If you're between 50 and 74, you'll be sent a letter with your test result from the program. If your test results show that there is hidden blood in your stool ​(an abnormal result), the letter will ask you to speak with your family doctor if you haven't already. If you’re younger than 50 or over 74, you won’t be sent a letter: instead, your family doctor will follow up with you about the result.

This material is not a substitute for the advice of a qualified health professional. This material is intended for general information only and is provided on an "as is", "where is" basis. Although reasonable efforts were made to confirm the accuracy of the information, Alberta Health Services does not make any representation or warranty, express, implied or statutory, as to the accuracy, reliability, completeness, applicability or fitness for a particular purpose of such information. Alberta Health Services expressly disclaims all liability for the use of these materials, and for any claims, actions, demands or suits arising from such use.

FIT testresults range

An abnormal result means that there's blood in the stool. This doesn’t mean that you have cancer. It tells your doctor that you need a colonoscopy to find out why you have blood in your stool.

PositiveFIT testresults range

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There are instructions with pictures in the FIT kit. It’s an easy test to do – all you have to do is collect a sample of stool on a plastic stick and put the stick into the collection bottle.

Once you've done the FIT at home, bring it to a lab near you. You do not need to book an appointment to drop off your FIT.

In Alberta, colorectal cancer is the second leading cause of cancer-related deaths for men and the third for women. Screening is the only way to find colorectal cancer early, when 9 out of 10 cases can be prevented or treated successfully.

If you’re asked to do another home stool test within 1 year of your last one, you won’t be sent a result letter: instead, your family doctor will follow up with you about the result.

Men and women aged 50 to 74 should be screened for colorectal cancer regularly. If you or someone in your family has had colorectal cancer, talk to your doctor about your risk of cancer and what test you should have. If you’re over 74, talk with your doctor about the benefits and risks of screening for colorectal cancer.