A fecal immunochemical test (FIT) is a non-invasive stool test that detects hidden human blood in feces using antibodies to hemoglobin. It is used for colorectal cancer screening and to identify bleeding from polyps or other intestinal conditions. FIT is typically performed regularly, often annually or every two years, for adults at average risk.

A positive FIT doesn't mean you have cancer, but it shows blood in the stool and needs investigation. Most positives are from benign causes (hemorrhoids, inflammation, polyps), but the result does raise the chance of colorectal cancer or advanced polyps. Don’t panic—arrange prompt follow-up (usually a colonoscopy) and tell your clinician about symptoms like weight loss or ongoing bleeding.

Many programs provide FIT kits free through national screening or insurance coverage. If paid out-of-pocket, prices vary by country and supplier—typically about $10–$50 in the US, roughly ₹200–700 in India, and sometimes up to $75 at private labs or clinics. Check local health services or your insurer for exact cost and availability.

To prepare for a FIT, you usually don’t need to change diet or stop medicines. Read the kit instructions carefully. Use the provided sampling stick to collect a small stool sample from one bowel movement, avoiding urine or menstrual blood contamination. Label and seal the kit, then return it to the lab or clinic promptly—typically within 24 to 72 hours—following the supplied transport and storage guidance.

FIT is a simple, noninvasive stool test for occult blood used for population screening; it’s inexpensive and easy to repeat but misses some polyps and cancers. Colonoscopy is the diagnostic gold standard: it visualizes the entire colon, detects and removes polyps, and is more sensitive and specific but is invasive, requires prep and carries small risks. FIT suits routine screening; colonoscopy is superior for diagnosis and treatment.

A normal FIT result shows haemoglobin below the test’s specified cutoff—commonly less than 10–20 µg of haemoglobin per gram of stool. Results at or above the lab’s threshold are considered positive and usually prompt further evaluation (often colonoscopy). Cutoffs vary by program and kit, so check the reference range on your report or discuss your result with your clinician.