Medical Director, BC Cancer Agency Colon Screening ProgramĪbove is the information needed to cite this article in your paper or presentation. Colonoscopy is a safe and accurate test, and quality assurance programs are being implemented throughout the province to ensure the safety and efficacy of colonoscopy are maximized.įor more information on FIT or the Colon Screening Program, visit -Jennifer J. Removal of adenomas at colonoscopy has been shown to decrease the mortality and incidence of colorectal cancer. Most adenomas will never turn into cancer, and for those that do, it will take many years for this transition, which is why patients should be screened regularly.Ĭolonoscopy is necessary after an abnormal FIT to ensure that no cancer is present. Some of these patients may have adenomas (precancerous polyps). This does not mean that a cancer was found-over 96% of those with an abnormal FIT will not have cancer. On average, 15% of individuals screened with FIT will have an abnormal FIT result and will require additional testing. And, like any test, FIT may give an abnormal result even though there is nothing wrong. Blood can be present in the stool for many reasons, including hemorrhoids, ulcers, anal fissures, diverticular disease, or inflammation. It cannot tell us from which part or why. While FIT is a good screening test, it is important that patients understand that FIT is not a diagnostic test, regardless of the level of blood present in the sample submitted.įIT can only tell us that there may be bleeding from somewhere in the lower digestive tract. Because FIT is a relatively new test in this province, there has been some confusion about the test, particularly when there is an abnormal result.įIT is a quantitative test with a threshold of 50 nanograms per millilitre of hemoglobin. Individuals at average risk are screened using the fecal immunochemical test (FIT), which has been available in British Columbia for the past 5 years and has been covered by MSP since April 2013. This important new program offers colorectal cancer screening to asymptomatic men and women between the ages of 50 and 74. In November 2013 British Columbia’s Colon Screening Program became fully available across the province.
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