Colon Cancer Screening Test (FIT)

The most suitable screening test depends on a few different things - your own medical history, your family history, and whether you have any symptoms that are concerning for colon cancer. 

Talk to your healthcare provider about the best screening test for you, when you should start screening, and how often you should be tested.

The fecal immunochemical test (FIT) is a screening test that detects blood in the stool, including blood that is invisible to the naked eye.  It is not suitable if you are experiencing symptoms. It is used as a screening test for colon cancer because precancerous polyps and cancerous growths may cause bleeding in the colon. There are other conditions that may also cause bleeding, including hemorrhoids, inflammatory bowel disease, and stomach ulcers. Because of this, FIT is not a diagnostic test - it cannot tell whether you have cancer or not. It can only detect whether there is blood in the stool. A positive FIT needs to be followed up with your healthcare provider, usually with a colonoscopy.

A colonoscopy involves looking at the inside of the colon and rectum using a camera on a long, flexible tube that is inserted into the rectum. Colonoscopy is considered to be the best test for colon cancer because not only does it allow abnormal growths or lesions to be seen, but it also allows samples (biopsies) to be taken of these lesions so that a diagnosis can be reached.

This test looks for blood in the stool which can occur for many reasons.

If you receive a positive test result, this means that blood was found in your stool sample and that you will need to follow up with your healthcare provider for further testing such as a colonoscopy. This FIT test alone cannot diagnose colon cancer.

If you receive a negative test result, this means that blood was not found in your stool at the time of testing. However, it’s important to note that there is a small chance that someone with colon cancer could still receive a negative test result. This is called a false negative. It’s very important to consult with a healthcare provider if you are experiencing any symptoms or if you have any concerns, regardless of your test result.

The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force recommends that adults aged 45 to 75, of average risk, should be screened for colorectal cancer. You have an average risk of colorectal cancer if you have no family history of colorectal cancer, or personal history of colorectal cancer, other cancer, polyps, inflammatory bowel disease, or any other specific risk factors for colorectal cancer.The decision to be screened between ages 76 and 85 should be made on an individual basis. If you are older than 75, talk to your doctor about screening. 

Starting screening from a younger age is often recommended if your risk is higher. If you think you may be at a higher risk for colorectal cancer based on your personal or family history, talk to your healthcare provider about when to start screening, what screening test is right for you, and how often you should be tested. 

For this test a small stool sample is required. This is a non-invasive sample collection that can be done from home.

Activating the test connects you to the unique alphanumeric barcode within your LetsGetChecked sample collection kit. The laboratory cannot process your sample if the test is not activated and linked to you. You should only activate your test when you are ready to take your sample.

Yes. LetsGetChecked has a team of board-certified physicians who will review your order and results and have created detailed result breakdowns for your testing journey.

Our clinical team is on standby throughout the testing process and, if your test results are abnormal, you may receive a call to discuss your results and next steps.

Please ensure that the sample is collected on a Monday-Friday and returned on the same day using the carrier method provided within the sample collection kit. Each of our health tests includes a prepaid shipping label to return your samples to the laboratory.

Please do not collect or return samples on a Saturday or Sunday.

Please note: Sample collection kits have an expiration date on the side of the kit box in year, month, and day format. If your kit has expired, you will be unable to activate it.

Keeping your personal data secure is important to us. We use appropriate technical and organizational measures to ensure security and confidentiality of your information, and only share your information where required to deliver our products and services or where we have a legal basis to do so. All samples are disposed of following analysis.

Your samples are processed in the same labs used by primary care providers, hospitals and government programs.

LetsGetChecked laboratories are CLIA approved and CAP-accredited, which are the highest levels of accreditation.

Sample collection kits are manufactured within our ISO 13485 certified facility, the highest level of accreditation for medical devices.

We don't accept insurance at this time. We work to keep our tests as affordable as possible and our test costs are generally lower than the costs incurred from a trip to a healthcare provider.

We accept many Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA) and Health Savings Accounts (HSA) cards. They can be used in the same way that a debit or credit card would be used at checkout.

This test is only suitable for those aged 45 and older. Starting screening from a younger age is often recommended if your risk is higher. If you think you may be at a higher risk for colon cancer based on your personal or family history, talk to your healthcare provider about when to start screening, what screening test is right for you, and how often you should be tested. 

Do not collect your sample when you are bleeding as a result of menstruation (also called a period).

If you notice blood in your stool, this test is not suitable and you should follow up with a healthcare provider immediately.