FIT testing: an overview.
Colorectal cancer (CRC) is a common, but preventable, disease and is the second most common cause of cancer-related deaths in the U.S. CRC screening has proven effective at reducing both the incidence and mortality of this disease, using any of a number of screening tests available. The test options range from the least invasive and least expensive to more invasive and costly options. Fecal occult blood testing is the oldest, least expensive, and least invasive of these options and has evolved from the poorly sensitive standard guaiac test to the newer and diagnostically superior fecal immunochemical test (FIT) for hemoglobin. This article explores the evolutionary history of fecal occult blood testing, examines test performance characteristics among different FOBTs, and evaluates the role of the FIT in programmatic CRC screening.
Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Medicine, San Francisco General Hospital and Trauma Center, 1001 Potrero Avenue, 3D-5, San Francisco, CA, 94110, USA, lukejohn.day@ucsf.edu.
Lukejohn W
LW
Day
Taft
T
Bhuket
James
J
Allison
D015415:Biomarkers / Q000032:analysis; D003113:Colonoscopy; D015179:Colorectal Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis*; D055088:Early Detection of Cancer / Q000379:methods*; D006138:Guaiac; D055554:Hemoglobin Subunits / Q000032:analysis*; D006801:Humans; D007202:Indicators and Reagents; D009780:Occult Blood
D015415:Biomarkers; D055554:Hemoglobin Subunits; D007202:Indicators and Reagents; D006138:Guaiac