FIT (Faecal Immunochemical Test) is a test that looks for blood in a sample of your poo. It looks for tiny traces of blood that you might not be able to see and which could be a sign of cancer.
Traces of blood in your poo can be caused by other medical conditions and doesn’t mean you have cancer. But if it is cancer, finding it at an early stage means treatment is likely to be more successful.
This information is about using the FIT test (poo test) for people who have symptoms that could be caused by bowel cancer. We have separate information about using FIT for the Bowel Cancer Screening Programme for people who don’t have symptoms.
Why do I need to do a FIT test?
Your doctor might give you this test as part of the investigation for your symptoms. The FIT results help your doctor decide whether to refer you for more tests.
You might have to do this test if you have symptoms which could be caused by bowel cancer. Symptoms might include:
- a change in your normal bowel habit, such as looser poo, pooing more often or constipation
- a lower than normal level of red blood cells (anaemia)
- unexplained weight loss
- tummy (abdominal) pain
How do I do a FIT test?
You do this test yourself at home.
Your GP will give you a pack containing all the information and equipment you need to collect your sample and send it directly to the laboratory. This will include:
- Collection tube
- Request form (generated by the GP practice)
- Instruction sheet
- Return envelope
Visiting your GP about bowel cancer
How to Complete your FIT Test
- It is very important that you do your FIT test (poo test) as soon as possible after you receive it. Your doctor needs your results to decide whether to send you for more tests.
- Read the instructions carefully before collecting the sample.
- Make sure you have filled out the label on the tube with your details and the date that you do the test.
- Remember to put the collection tube AND the request form in the return envelope.
- Do not delay returning the sample to your GP practice
Getting your results
You should get your results within 1 or 2 weeks. Contact your GP practice if you haven’t heard anything after a couple of weeks.
FIT result is less than 10 – Your doctor might call this FIT negative.
For most people this means that they don’t have cancer. It’s important to go back to your GP if your symptoms continue, change, or get worse even if you have normal test results.
A normal FIT result doesn’t completely rule out cancer, and depending on your symptoms, your GP may decide they would like you to have some more tests.
FIT result above 10 – Your doctor might call this FIT positive.
Most people with a FIT test result above 10 will not have bowel cancer but it is important to rule it out.
Your GP will arrange for you to have further tests. You usually have a test to look at the inside of your large bowel. This is called a colonoscopy.
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