FIT- Effective for Repeated Group Based Testing

The fecal immunochemical test is an effective way to screen for colorectal cancer. It is a noninvasive test that can be delivered by mail. In contrast to guaiac-based stool tests and colonoscopy, fecal immunochemical test (FIT) screening can be done without dietary or medication restrictions. This allows it to achieve higher patient acceptance in organized colorectal cancer screening programs.

According to research conducted by Kaiser Permanente Northern California (KPNC) and Southern California (KPSC), over 4 rounds of annual screening was conducted to assess the performance characteristics of FIT. The research indicated that the test's positivity, predictive values, and sensitivity declined slightly after the first round and then remained relatively steady. This indicates that annual strategic FIT screening is feasible and effective for colorectal screening in a large community based setting.

In this assessment 323,349 health plan members aged 50 to 70 years old in 2007 or 2008 who completed the first round of FIT, were followed for up to 4 screening rounds. The program detected 80.4% of patients with colorectal cancer were diagnosed within 1 year of testing. This included 84.5% in the first round and 73.4% to 78.0% in subsequent rounds. The results showed the test's positivity, predictive values, and sensitivity declined slightly after the first round and then remained relatively steady. This indicates that annual strategic FIT screening is feasible and effective for colorectal screening in a large community based setting. Related findings include:

• Fecal immunochemical test (FIT) is acceptable and effective for repeated testing. The study did not measure whether identification of cancer changed outcomes.
• The researchers show that after 4 years of repeated testing, patients continued to use the test and it continued to identify colorectal cancer.
• Annual FIT is believed to be as effective as screening colonoscopy performed every 10 years. However, colonoscopy is recommended for those with a family history of colorectal cancer.
• Effective colorectal screening requires follow-up colonoscopy after a positive FIT result
• The research also suggests that regular FIT screening may offer protection against death from interval adenomas and colorectal cancer that develops after starting a screening program.
• Cancer detected by positive FIT results was also diagnosed at an earlier stage than cancer not screened by FIT the year before diagnosis, and cancer that had negative results the previous year.

Fecal immunochemical test is recommended for:

• People between the age of 50-75.
• People with no history of colorectal cancer or edenoma
• People who do not have immediate family members with colorectal cancer
• People that have not done other colorectal screenings

Polymedco CDP, LLC

Polymedco CDP, LLCis the leading manufacturer, marketer, and distributor of clinical diagnostic test kits. We are the world leader in non-invasive fecal immunochemical testing technology. To obtain a screening, Call us at 888 638 7757 or email at tpucci@polymedco.com.