Differences between FIT in screening and symptomatic use

The Faecal Immunochemical Test (FIT) is used in two different pathways to assess the risk of colorectal cancer.

1. When people present with colorectal symptoms, FIT can detect trace amounts of blood with a low threshold for a positive result.

2. FIT is also used for asymptomatic screening with a higher positive test threshold.

Healthcare professions should ensure:

• People with symptoms are tested in line with guidance, regardless of their bowel cancer screening results.

• Eligible patients are encouraged to participate in bowel screening when they’re invited, even where they’ve had a negative symptomatic FIT.

How do the FIT pathways differ?

Each nation has different screening and primary care pathways where FIT is used to assess colorectal cancer risk.

Click on your nation below to open our overview of the key differences on a page.

England - Screening vs. Symptomatic FIT infographic(PDF, 56.4 KB)

Scotland - Screening vs. Symptomatic FIT infographic(PDF, 77.1 KB)

Wales - Screening vs. Symptomatic FIT infographic(PDF, 81.4 KB)

Northern Ireland - Screening vs. Symptomatic FIT infographic(PDF, 77.6 KB)

Back to Faecal Immunochemical Test (FIT) overview

Using FIT to manage people in primary care

Bowel cancer screening

Access our bowel cancer screening hub for healthcare professionals for more information about the programmes.

Contact us

You can contact our Strategic Evidence team if you have any questions.