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Colorectal cancer screening (fecal immunochemical test - FIT)

Cancer

Varies by province (commonly 50–74)Varies by province (often every 2 years; Alberta uses yearly FIT)5–10 minutes at home

FIT is a home stool test used in many Canadian provincial screening programs to detect signs of colorectal cancer early.

Important Note

If you have symptoms, you need diagnostic evaluation rather than a screening FIT.

Guidance for your location

Location
Country
Select a country only if you want local program matching.
Region-specific program details are not available for this location yet, but you can still use the general profile information.
Recommended Age
Varies by province (commonly 50–74)
Frequency
Varies by province (often every 2 years; Alberta uses yearly FIT)
Duration
5–10 minutes at home

Overview

The fecal immunochemical test (FIT) detects small amounts of blood in stool, which can be a sign of colorectal cancer or large polyps. FIT is designed for screening in people without symptoms. A positive FIT does not mean you have cancer, but it does mean you need follow-up (usually colonoscopy) to find the cause.

Who Should Get This Screening

  • Average-risk, asymptomatic adults in the provincial program age range (varies; see Program section above).
  • People without conditions that place them on a different pathway (for example, prior colorectal cancer, certain polyp surveillance, or inflammatory bowel disease involving the colon).
  • People without alarm symptoms (rectal bleeding, unexplained iron-deficiency anemia, persistent change in bowel habits, unexplained weight loss). These need diagnostic assessment, not screening.
  • People with strong family history may need a colonoscopy-based strategy rather than FIT; discuss with your clinician.

What to Expect

You receive a kit (by mail or pickup depending on your province). You collect a small stool sample at home and return it to the lab using the provided instructions. Results are typically returned by mail/portal or through your provider.

How to Prepare

Follow these tips to prepare for your screening

  • Follow the kit instructions carefully; FIT usually has no diet restrictions.
  • Try to avoid collecting the sample during active bleeding (for example, heavy hemorrhoidal bleeding or menstruation) when possible.
  • Return the sample promptly so the lab can process it within the recommended time window.

Benefits

  • Non-invasive and done at home.
  • Can detect cancer earlier, when treatment is more effective.
  • Helps identify people who need follow-up colonoscopy.

Things to Consider

  • False positives can happen and may lead to colonoscopy that finds no cancer.
  • False negatives can happen (no screening test is perfect).
  • A positive result can cause anxiety; follow-up testing is essential.

Guideline Source: Provincial colorectal screening programs (Canada) (see Program section above)

This information is provided for educational purposes only and should not replace professional medical advice. Always consult with your healthcare provider for personalized recommendations.