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A quantitative faecal immunochemical test (qFIT) detects the presence of haemoglobin in a stool sample. This is intended to detect tiny quantities of blood ('occult blood') that are not apparent by a visual check.

Presence of faecal occult blood in stool may be an early indicator of colorectal cancer. The qFIT test is used routinely as a screening tool to allow early detection and prompt treatment.

A cut-off value of 50 nanograms of haemoglobin per millilitre of sample (corresponding to 10 micrograms of haemoglobin per gram of stool) is used and samples where a higher level is detected are reported as an abnormal result – this is as recommended by the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE).

If the test result is abnormal (more than 50 ng/ml), medical advice should be sought as soon as possible.

A combined analysis of several studies has demonstrated a clinical sensitivity of 92.1% and a specificity of 85.8% for colorectal cancer when faecal occult blood exceeds 10 micrograms per gram. This means that with current rates of colorectal cancer (around 3%), approximately 14 of every 100 positive results indicate colorectal cancer (true positives) and 99 of every 100 negative results indicate its absence (true negatives).

It is therefore important to seek medical advice as soon as possible if a qFIT result is abnormal. Follow up investigation may include a colonoscopy to check the health of your colon and detect the source of the blood detected in your sample. Other causes of faecal occult blood include peptic ulcers, inflammatory bowel disease, haemorrhoids, and gastritis.

Please make sure to double check the barcode on the sample. After your sample has reached our lab, you will receive your results within 24 hours.