NHS Improves Bowel Cancer Test Accuracy in England
- England is increasing the sensitivity of the faecal immunochemical test (FIT),used to detect bowel cancer,in an effort to save hundreds of lives.The change, implemented as part of a...
- The FIT is a home test that checks stool samples for hidden blood, a potential indicator of bowel cancer or polyps.
- According to the UK government,the change will lower the threshold for a positive test result,meaning more people will be invited for a colonoscopy to investigate further.
Bowel Cancer Screening in England Becomes More Sensitive
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England is increasing the sensitivity of the faecal immunochemical test (FIT),used to detect bowel cancer,in an effort to save hundreds of lives.The change, implemented as part of a broader overhaul of cancer diagnostics, aims to identify more cases of the disease at an earlier, more treatable stage.
What is the Faecal Immunochemical Test (FIT)?
The FIT is a home test that checks stool samples for hidden blood, a potential indicator of bowel cancer or polyps. It’s currently the primary screening method for bowel cancer in England. Increasing the test’s sensitivity means it will detect even smaller amounts of blood, potentially identifying more cancers.
According to the UK government,the change will lower the threshold for a positive test result,meaning more people will be invited for a colonoscopy to investigate further.
Why is this change being made?
Bowel cancer is the second deadliest cancer in the UK. Early detection substantially improves treatment outcomes and survival rates.NHS England believes that by making the FIT more sensitive, they can identify more cancers at an earlier stage, leading to better patient outcomes.
NHS England estimates that the change will lead to approximately 270 additional cancers being detected each year. NHS England’s announcement states that this will result in an estimated 190 lives saved annually.
How will this impact patients?
Patients who receive a positive FIT result will be referred for a colonoscopy,a more detailed examination of the bowel. While a positive FIT test does not necessarily mean someone has cancer, it indicates a need for further investigation. The rollout of the more sensitive FIT began in April 2024 and is now being fully implemented across England.
The Cancer Research UK provides detailed data about the FIT test and the bowel cancer screening program.