qFIT Bowel Health Test

How can this test help you?

What is a qFIT test?

A qFIT test looks for tiny amounts of blood in your stool that you can't see with the naked eye. It works by measuring specific proteins that are released when red blood cells break down in your bowel.

When is it used?

This test helps investigate symptoms that could potentially indicate bowel cancer, including:

• Changes in your bowel habits
• Blood in your stool
• Unexplained weight loss
• Abdominal pain or bloating
• Unusual tiredness (which might be caused by anaemia)

What you should know

While a qFIT test can't diagnose cancer by itself, it's an excellent first step to determine if you need further investigation. A negative result is particularly reassuring-it means there's a 99% chance your symptoms aren't caused by bowel cancer.

If your test shows an abnormal result (meaning blood is present), your GP will help decide what tests you might need next, considering your symptoms and risk factors.

An abnormal result could indicate various conditions ranging from minor issues like haemorrhoids to more serious conditions that need further investigation.

Screening without symptoms

If you're considering testing but don't have symptoms, particularly if you're under 45, it's worth having a conversation with your healthcare provider about whether screening makes sense for your situation.

What's included in this test?

• qFIT: A qFIT (quantitative Faecal Immunochemical Test) is a stool test that detects tiny amounts of blood in your stool that aren't visible to the naked eye. It specifically measures a protein that's released when red blood cells break down in the bowel.

Description provided by Thriva.