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Is FIT Test A Good Alternative To Colonoscopy?
Question: What is your opinion on the FIT test and is it a good alternative to a colonoscopy? How accurate is it in detecting cancer? I have had one colonoscopy almost 10 years ago that was normal. I would like to to this test annually instead of having the colonoscopy. Is this a good alternative?
Brief Answer:
detailed below.
Detailed Answer:
Hello.
Welcome to Healthcare Magic.
I read carefully your query.
FIT is a test that detect the presence of occult blood in stool,which can be a sign of colorectal cancer.It is a screening test for colorectal cancer.
It is a very sensitive test but it has it's limitations like falls-positive results,it can miss some polyps and type of colon cancer that doesn't cause bleeding.
It should be done every year and if it is abnormal colonoscopy will be needed .
Colonoscopy instead is a test that evaluate all the colon from inside .It can detect every change in colon (the presence of polyps ,which are precancerous lesions and cancerous growths ).
It should be done every 10 years.This is more accurate than FIT to detect colorectal cancer.
The recommended test depends on the individual risk for colorectal cancer.
In a person with family history (first-degree relatives ) for colorectal cancer ,colonoscopy is recommended.
A person with average risk (no family history ,no precancerous lesions in colon, no risk factors ) FIT every 1-2 years can be more appropriate.If the result of FIT is abnormal then colonoscopy is necessary.
If you have no family history for colorectal cancer ,you can do FIT every year as a screening test.It is a good alternative.
Hope it helps.
Please feel free to ask for every question you might have.I would be happy to answer.
Kind regards,
Dr.Rovena Murati
detailed below.
Detailed Answer:
Hello.
Welcome to Healthcare Magic.
I read carefully your query.
FIT is a test that detect the presence of occult blood in stool,which can be a sign of colorectal cancer.It is a screening test for colorectal cancer.
It is a very sensitive test but it has it's limitations like falls-positive results,it can miss some polyps and type of colon cancer that doesn't cause bleeding.
It should be done every year and if it is abnormal colonoscopy will be needed .
Colonoscopy instead is a test that evaluate all the colon from inside .It can detect every change in colon (the presence of polyps ,which are precancerous lesions and cancerous growths ).
It should be done every 10 years.This is more accurate than FIT to detect colorectal cancer.
The recommended test depends on the individual risk for colorectal cancer.
In a person with family history (first-degree relatives ) for colorectal cancer ,colonoscopy is recommended.
A person with average risk (no family history ,no precancerous lesions in colon, no risk factors ) FIT every 1-2 years can be more appropriate.If the result of FIT is abnormal then colonoscopy is necessary.
If you have no family history for colorectal cancer ,you can do FIT every year as a screening test.It is a good alternative.
Hope it helps.
Please feel free to ask for every question you might have.I would be happy to answer.
Kind regards,
Dr.Rovena Murati
Note: For further follow up on related General & Family Physician Click here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
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