Screening test
Move Your Butt. Take the test!
The colorectal cancer screening test (FIT) is simple, quick, painless, and can be done at home. It can detect colorectal cancer before any symptoms appear. The earlier colorectal cancer is detected, the better the chances of treatment and survival.
Colon cancer may not cause any obvious signs or symptoms in the early stages because the cancer is very small. Symptoms often appear once a tumour grows into surrounding tissues and organs.
Nearly 50% of colorectal cancers are diagnosed at an advanced stage, when they have spread to other areas of the body, making treatment less effective. However, it’s one of the few cancers that can be prevented through early detection.
Colorectal cancer screening test
Since colorectal cancer often leaves traces of blood in the stool (poop) that are invisible to the naked eye, the test involves collecting a very small stool sample at home, which is then analyzed in a laboratory.
The instructions are easy to follow and don’t require any special diet or preparation.
Colorectal cancer
Colon cancer
If you’re between 50 and 74 years old, have no symptoms, and have no personal or family history of colorectal cancer, there are two ways to get screened for colorectal cancer: Make an appointment free of charge on Clic Santé or talk to a family doctor or a specialized nurse practitioner.
The earlier colorectal cancer is detected, the better the chances of survival.
What results can I expect after taking the colorectal cancer screening test?
The result will be normal if the test doesn’t detect traces of blood in the stool. It’s still possible to develop colorectal cancer later in life. For this reason, it’s recommended that the test be repeated every two years between the ages of 50 and 74.
The result will be abnormal if the test detects traces of blood in the stool. This does not necessarily mean that colorectal cancer is present, but that further investigation is needed to determine the source and cause of the bleeding.
A test cannot be analyzed if it hasn’t been done correctly or if too much time has passed between the time you did it and the analysis. You’ll be asked to do it again and to follow the instructions you received with your test kit.
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