Clinical outcomes using a faecal immunochemical test for haemoglobin as a first-line test in a national programme constrained by colonoscopy capacity.

Introduction: Because of their many advantages, faecal immunochemical tests (FIT) are superseding traditional guaiac-based faecal occult blood tests in bowel screening programmes.

Methods: A quantitative FIT was adopted for use in two evaluation National Health Service (NHS) Boards in Scotland using a cut-off faecal haemoglobin concentration chosen to give a positivity rate equivalent to that achieved in the Scottish Bowel Screening Programme. Uptake and clinical outcomes were compared with results obtained contemporaneously in two other similar NHS Boards and before and after the evaluation in the two evaluation NHS Boards.

Pre-notification increases uptake of colorectal cancer screening in all demographic groups: a randomized controlled trial.

Objectives: To assess whether pre-notification is effective in increasing uptake of colorectal cancer screening for all demographic groups.

Setting: Scottish national colorectal cancer screening programme.

Methods: Males and females aged 50-74 years received a faecal occult blood test by post to complete at home.