Find out more at www.faecal-immunochemical-test.co.uk 11 www.faecal-immunochemical-test.co.uk is a dedicated new website, developed by Alpha Laboratories Ltd, to provide a repository of information for all those involved in FIT. It draws on experience from participation in current national screening programmes and in routine symptomatic testing. This unique website provides a central resource for clinicians, laboratories, patients and the public, regarding advances in the detection of colorectal cancer using FIT. Support Throughout the Patient Pathway Information on the FIT website is designed specifically for each audience – to support everyone throughout the patient pathway. Access to the Experts Covering both screening and symptomatic testing applications, experiential case studies, plus videos of presentations, provide access to expertise from key opinion leaders in the field. With pages tailored to each part of the patient pathway, an extensive list of literature, publications, resources, related news and events that are regularly updated, this is the number one resource for FIT in the UK and Eire. Support for Your FIT Service www.faecal-immunochemical-test.co.uk also offers useful information on products and solutions necessary to provide a FIT service. With Alpha Laboratories’ Bowel Cancer Specialists on hand to help develop your specific programme it is the ‘go to’ place for advice from the experts, whose knowledge has been gained from many years’ experience in faecal occult blood testing and a long association with the NHS bowel cancer screening programmes. Visit www.faecal-immunochemical-test.co.uk for further information or contact us at diagnosticdx@alphalabs.co.uk to discuss setting up your FIT service. Interest in the faecal immunochemical test (FIT) amongst clinicians, medical laboratory professionals and even the public is growing rapidly. This has accelerated since NICE Diagnostics Guidance DG30 was published last summer. In addition the NHS Bowel Cancer Screening Programmes are beginning to roll out FIT. FIT is now an established diagnostic test that identifies the presence of minute quantities of haemoglobin (blood) in the stool, known as faecal occult blood (FOB), which can be an early sign of colorectal cancer. FIT uses antibodies specific to human haemoglobin so is more sensitive and has a greater specificity than the previous qualitative guaiac based methods. In 2016 following a successful pilot involving 40,000 people, the UK National Screening Committee recommended that FIT should be rolled out nationally. The research showed that the new test can increase uptake, especially in groups that have previously not taken part in the programme. This is because the sampling method is easier, more hygienic and more acceptable to people invited for screening. The automated FIT assay benefits clinicians and laboratories too; with rapid turn-around, quantitative results, and simple processing. In addition, the recommendations of NICE Diagnostics Guidance DG30 “Quantitative faecal immunochemical tests to guide referral for colorectal cancer in primary care” - has stimulated attention on the use of FIT to triage for referral to secondary care, people whose symptoms suggest colorectal cancer, but in whom a definitive diagnosis of cancer is unlikely. For Clinicians Waiting times for endoscopy resources are increasing putting these departments under rising pressure. Performing an initial FIT test to categorise the patient could, with confidence, predict those for whom colonoscopy is not appropriate. For Laboratories The HM-JACKarc system is easy to set up and can be loaded with up to 80 samples at any one time. It can stand alone or be linked to the LIS, allowing flexible options for connectivity and full audit trail of results, QC and reagent lot numbers. For Patients Concerned about their condition, patients want quick answers, with minimal intervention. With FIT testing they can have access to more information about the symptoms they exhibit and the possible causes for them. One Site FITs All www.faecal-immunochemical-test.co.uk A Valuable New Information Resource for Bowel Cancer Detection
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