Instructions for the Fecal immunochemical test (FIT)

ABOUT THE TEST

Your doctor has prescribed an Fecal immunochemical test (FIT). This test aims to detect the presence of blood hidden in stool that is invisible to the naked eye. Blood in stool can be a sign of colorectal cancer, commonly known as colon cancer. The FIT is simple and can be done at home. Also, it does not require a particular diet.

However, certain situations may skew the test results. For instance, if you have bleeding hemorrhoids, you should wait for the bleeding to stop before doing the test. Also, if you are a woman menstruating, you should wait until the end of your cycle to do the test.

PREPARE FOR TEST

To do the test, you need the sample collection kit that you received from the specimen collection centre.

This kit contains:

  • A cylindrical tube with a green cap

  • Waterproof, biodegradable paper

  • A plastic bag

SAMPLE COLLECTION

The following steps shows you how to collect the sample. For your results to be valid, it is important that you follow each of these steps carefully:

Step 1

Open your sample collection kit. When you are ready to do the test, take the tube and legibly write the following information on the label: your first and last name, your date of birth, the date and time collected

Step 2

Unfold the paper. Place it in the center of the toilet bowl, directly on top of clean water so that the sides of the paper stick to the bowl.

Step 3

When passing stool make sure that it falls on the paper. Stool must not be mixed with urine or another fluid prior to taking the sample.

Step 4

Twist and pull the green cap to open the specimen tube.

Step 5

Scratch the surface of the stool lightly with the green stick attached to the tube’s cap before the paper sinks into the water. Only scrape a small quantity of stool, enough to cover the end of the stick. Leave the paper in the toilet bowl and flush.

Step 6

Put the stick back in the tube and close well. Do not open the tube once you have closed it.

Step 7

Put the sample collection tube in the plastic bag and close it.

Step 8

Keep the bag in the fridge until you bring your stool sample to the specimen collection centre.

Bring the Sample to Specimen Collection Centre or mail it.

You must bring your stool sample to the specimen collection centre where you got the kit no later than 48 hours after taking the sample.