BC Cancer and its Laboratory Services have identified an issue with the test used to screen for colon cancer. Recent fecal immunochemical test (FIT) results show an increase in the number of positive screens—more patients are testing positive than is typical. This higher rate was detected by the improved monitoring put in place last year.
A problem with the reagent used to test the fecal samples in the labs has been identified. A new reagent has been in use since mid-December 2017, when testing resumed after a 3-month suspension due to similar issues. The new reagent was performing to expected standards until very recently.
Testing will continue; however, physicians and patients are being informed that there will be a higher-than-normal percentage of patients who are referred for a follow-up colonoscopy. The provincial colon screening program recommends all patients with abnormal FIT results have a follow-up colonoscopy.
A positive FIT result is common and does not mean that the patient has cancer. On average, 15% of patients screen positive and require further testing. It is expected that an additional 5% of patients will now screen positive, whereas previously, they would have had a borderline negative result.
BC Cancer, Laboratory Services, and the Ministry of Health are exploring all options to address this situation.
Quick facts about colon cancer and screening:
For more information on the colon screening program, visit BC Cancer’s screening website at www.screeningbc.ca [9].
Links
[1] https://bcmj.org/cover/june-2018
[2] https://bcmj.org/node/6350
[3] https://bcmj.org/sites/default/files/BCMJ_Vol60_No5_news_3.pdf
[4] https://bcmj.org/print/news/sensitivity-early-colon-cancer-screening-tests
[5] https://bcmj.org/printmail/news/sensitivity-early-colon-cancer-screening-tests
[6] http://www.facebook.com/share.php?u=https://bcmj.org/print/news/sensitivity-early-colon-cancer-screening-tests
[7] https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?text=Sensitivity of early colon cancer screening tests&url=https://bcmj.org/print/news/sensitivity-early-colon-cancer-screening-tests&via=BCMedicalJrnl&tw_p=tweetbutton
[8] https://bcmj.org/javascript%3A%3B
[9] http://www.screeningbc.ca
[10] https://bcmj.org/modal_forms/nojs/webform/176
[11] https://bcmj.org/%3Finline%3Dtrue%23citationpop