Fecal Immunochemical Test (FIT)

Is a FIT right for you?

In the United States, the average lifetime risk of colon cancer is about one in 20, according to the American Cancer Society. In each of the past several years, more than 50,000 Americans have died of the disease—but the death rate has been declining for a couple decades, partly because of screening.

Although a colonoscopy is the most effective method of detecting colorectal cancer at an early stage, there are other tests your doctor may prescribe for you that are less invasive. 

The Fecal Immunochemical Test (FIT) is a newer version of the fecal occult blood test (FOBT) that detects minute traces of blood in the stool. This colon cancer test:

• Can be done in the privacy of your home
• Is non-invasive
• Is easy to do
• Requires no special prep, changes to your diet or medicines

Detecting blood in your stool is important because it can be a sign of precancerous polyps or colon cancer. Blood vessels at the surface of larger polyps or cancers are often fragile and easily damaged by passing stool. The damaged blood vessels usually release a small amount of blood into the stool, but only rarely is there enough bleeding to be visible in the stool, which is why this test is helpful.

There are many varieties of FIT tests with varying levels of sensitivity, and depending on which you have, it may require as few as one stool sample, instead of three, like other stool sample tests. This test is also less likely to react to bleeding from parts of the upper digestive tract, such as the stomach, which is beneficial in increasing accuracy.

A positive result from the FIT requires follow-up testing. This usually involves direct imaging of the colon and rectum, such as a colonoscopy or sigmoidoscopy.

Please talk to your doctor about which screening is right for you.

Endoscopy

Endoscopy is a procedure that allows physicians to examine the digestive tract through an endoscope, a device that uses fiber optics and a powerful lens system. The minimally invasive procedure can often be done on an outpatient basis, allowing the patient to go home or return to work within a short period.

Summa Health System is pleased to announce this procedure is available at our NEW advanced endoscopy suite located at:

Summa Health Endoscopy Center
Summa Health Richard M. and Yvonne Hamlin Pavilion
Summa Health System – Akron Campus
95 Arch Street, Ste. G55
Akron, Ohio

Hours of operation: Mon-Fri, 7:30 a.m.-3:00 pm.

The suite offers patients:

• Advanced technology, including all new endoscopy equipment
• Easy access in/out of the facility
• Dedicated surface or valet parking near the Hamlin pavilion entrance
• Bedside visitation by family members pre- and post-procedure (no children under 12 years of age)

An endoscopy is often used to diagnose various digestive conditions, and may also be used for repair and treatment, as well as biopsies.

Your Summa gastroenterologist may recommend an endoscopy for any of the following:

Investigation of symptoms in the digestive system including nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, difficulty swallowing and gastrointestinal bleeding.
Confirmation of a diagnosis, most commonly by performing a biopsy to check for conditions such as anemia, bleeding, inflammation, cancers of the digestive system.

Treatments, such as cauterization of a bleeding vessel, widening a narrow esophagus, clipping off a polyp or removing a foreign object.
To schedule an appointment with a doctor, call 877.413.6695.