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CPD – Case-based: FIT tests

GPs to conduct FIT tests for every ‘urgent’ suspected lower GI cancer referral

Learning Objectives

To update you on: 

  • Which patients should have a FIT test requested to stratify their risk of colorectal cancer. 
  • The differences between a FIT test and a faecal occult blood test. 
  • Which patients should be referred for screening due to their family history of colorectal cancer.

Author

Dr Toni Hazell is a GP in North London

Case study 1 – Miss P

Miss P is a 58-year-old woman who has come to see you as she is concerned about her bowels. For the last few months she has been opening her bowels more often than usual and they are consistently loose. She tells you that she has no other symptoms and on your direct questioning confirms that she has had no abdominal pain, bloating, weight loss or rectal bleeding or mucus. She has no past medical history and has not had a prescription for several years. You examine her – she doesn’t look pale, her abdomen is soft and a rectal examination is normal. She has had no recent travel and was seen by an out of hours GP a couple of weeks ago; they arranged to send a stool sample to microbiology and this was normal.

Which of the following is the single best option for Miss P?

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