Colo-FC
Research type
Research Study
Full title
COLO-FC: Barriers to Faecal Immunochemical Test (FIT) completion amongst patients with symptoms of possible colorectal cancer
IRAS ID
336908
Contact name
Christina Dobson
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Newcastle University
Duration of Study in the UK
1 years, 0 months, 0 days
Research summary
Recent UK guidance recommends that almost all patients who see their GP about symptoms of possible bowel cancer should complete a faecal immunochemical test (FIT). FIT is a test that patients do at home, to look for traces of blood in their poo (faeces). A positive FIT result means there is a somewhat greater chance that their symptoms are due to bowel cancer. GPs use FIT to help decide whether patients should be referred to hospital for investigation and, if so, how urgently.
However, new data suggest that 10-20% of patients asked to complete FIT, do not do so. Not completing FIT can stop, or slow down, a patient’s hospital investigations, and may result in a delayed cancer diagnosis. The earlier bowel cancer is diagnosed, the greater the chance of cure.
We do not know why some patients do not complete FIT. The study will use a brief survey and interviews to investigate these issues to identify which patients might need more support to complete FIT, and what that support could be. Addressing what hinders FIT completion amongst patients with symptoms of possible bowel cancer could help diagnose cancers earlier and increase chances of survival.
REC name
HSC REC B
REC reference
23/NI/0168
Date of REC Opinion
8 Jan 2024
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion