What Is the Positivity Rate for Colorectal Cancer Screening by FIT?

Patients who are considering colorectal cancer screening with fecal immunochemical testing (FIT) might be interested in their probability of testing positive and requiring subsequent colonoscopy. In a study from the Netherlands, 4523 people (age range, 50–74) underwent FIT screening with OC-Sensor Micro; a hemoglobin concentration of ≥50 ng/mL was considered positive. The positivity rate was 8.4%. On subsequent colonoscopy, 40% of those with positive tests had either advanced adenomas or cancer. Some participants were rescreened at intervals averaging 2 years; positivity rates were 6% on second and third screening rounds.