The fecal immunochemical test (FIT) is a test you can do at home. It detects blood in your stool (poop) which can be a sign of pre-cancer. To complete the test:
- Talk to your health care provider and ask for a FIT. If you are eligible for screening, your health care provider will give you an order form for a free FIT kit.
- Take your order form and your BC Services Card/CareCard to a designated lab, and pick up your test kit. Visit Laboratory Locations for a list of participating labs.
- Take the test at home by following the instructions provided in the test kit. No special preparation is needed. You can continue to eat your usual foods and take your medications.
- Drop your sample off at the lab. Your sample must be submitted to the lab within 7 days of taking the test.
- If you have a normal result, you may access your result through MyCareCompass. If you do not have a MyCareCompass account, you can sign up for one within 30 days of picking up your FIT from the lab. Otherwise, you may contact your health care provider for your result.
- If you have an abnormal result, you will be referred for follow-up in your community. An abnormal result does not mean that you have cancer. It means that blood was found in your stool. The health care team in your community will speak with you about your test result and make recommendations for follow-up testing. Colonoscopy is usually recommended following an abnormal FIT result. While waiting for your colonoscopy, please speak with your health care provider if you are experiencing these symptoms at any time:
- Blood in your stool
- Abdominal pain
- Change in bowel habits
- Unexplained weight loss
