RecruitingOBSERVATIONAL

Faecal Immunochemical Tests (FIT) for Surveillance After Colorectal Cancer (CRC) Study

Every year, thousands in the UK have surgery for bowel cancer. Afterwards, they have regular check-ups, often including a colonoscopy to look for cancer's return. While effective, colonoscopies can be uncomfortable. This study is exploring a different approach: the Faecal Immunochemical Test (FIT), which checks for hidden blood in poo. We already use FIT for bowel cancer screening and to check people with bowel symptoms, where it's good at finding cancer. Now, we want to see if it’s also accurate for people who’ve had bowel cancer surgery. The goal is to see if FIT could help rule out cancer for some patients, potentially reducing the need for colonoscopies in the future, making follow-up easier and more pleasant.

At a glance

Status

Recruiting

Sponsor

Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust

Enrolment target

1,000

Start

28 Feb 2025

Estimated completion

23 Jun 2027

Colorectal Cancer (CRC)

What is this study about?

If you've had surgery for bowel cancer, you'll know that regular check-ups are really important. Currently, about three years after your operation, you will likely have a colonoscopy. This procedure uses a tiny camera to look inside your bowel to check for any signs that the cancer might have come back, or for new growths called polyps that could turn into cancer.

While colonoscopies are very good at what they do, we understand that they, and the preparation needed beforehand (like special bowel-cleaning medicines), can be quite uncomfortable and unpleasant. This study is looking into a simpler alternative called the Faecal Immunochemical Test, or FIT for short. This test involves checking a small sample of your poo for tiny traces of blood that you wouldn't normally see. Blood in your poo can sometimes be a sign of bowel cancer or polyps.

The FIT test is already used in the UK for bowel cancer screening and to help decide if someone with bowel symptoms might have cancer. We know it works well in these situations. The main goal of this study is to find out if FIT can also accurately detect if bowel cancer has returned in people who have had surgery for it in the past. If it proves to be accurate, then for some patients, a FIT test might be able to 'rule out' cancer, meaning they could potentially avoid a colonoscopy, making their follow-up care much easier and more comfortable. This is something that patient groups have told us is very important to them.

Key takeaways

The study explores a home poo test (FIT) for checking bowel cancer recurrence.
It aims to reduce the need for uncomfortable colonoscopies for some patients.
Participation involves doing a simple FIT test at home, alongside your usual care.
Your routine follow-up appointments will not change if you join.
Your FIT results won't be seen by your doctors, ensuring your regular care is unaffected.
The study could lead to more patient-friendly bowel cancer follow-up in the future.

Who may be eligible?

This study is looking for adults aged 18 or over who have had an operation for bowel cancer. Specifically, we're inviting people whose surgery was aimed at curing their cancer and who are now due for their routine 3-year check-up, which would normally involve a colonoscopy or a CT scan of the bowel.

There are a few reasons why someone might not be able to join the study. For example, if you are under 18, or if you already know your bowel cancer has come back, you wouldn't be able to participate. Also, if you’ve had your entire colon removed, or if you currently have an ileostomy (where waste leaves your body through an opening in your tummy), you wouldn't be suitable for this specific study. However, if you have a colostomy, you may still be able to take part.

Could this study suit you?

Answer these quick questions to see if you may be eligible. This is a guide only — the research team makes the final call.

Are you 18 years old or older?
Have you had surgery for bowel cancer with the aim of being cured?
Are you due for your 3-year check-up colonoscopy or bowel scan?
Do you not have an ileostomy and still have some of your colon?

Answer every question to see your result.

What does participation involve?

If you decide to take part in this study, you won't have any changes to your normal medical care. You will still have your planned colonoscopy or bowel scan as usual. The only extra step is that we will ask you to provide a single sample for the FIT test. We will send you a study pack in the post that includes all the instructions, a consent form, and the FIT sampling kit. You will take the poo sample at home – it only takes about 5 to 10 minutes – and then put it in the prepaid envelope provided and send it back to Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust (NUH) for testing. Your doctors will not see the results of your FIT test, so your usual care will not be affected by it. This study aims to gather information from at least 1,000 patients across seven hospitals in the East Midlands.

Potential risks and benefits

Taking part in this study doesn't involve any changes to your usual medical care, so there are no direct medical risks from the study itself. The potential benefit is that your contribution will help us understand if a simple at-home poo test could be a good way to check for cancer returning, potentially reducing the need for uncomfortable colonoscopies for some patients in the future. You are free to withdraw from the study at any time without giving a reason, and this will not affect your routine medical care in any way.

Locations (1)

Some site locations are approximate. We're improving this — please verify with the trial team before travelling.

Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust
Verified postcode
Nottingham, United Kingdom· Recruiting

Common questions

What is a FIT test?

A FIT test is a simple kit you use at home to collect a small sample of your poo. It's then sent off to a lab to be checked for tiny amounts of blood that you can't see, which could be a sign of bowel problems.

Will taking part change my usual hospital appointments?

No, taking part in this study will not change your normal follow-up appointments, including your colonoscopy or scan for bowel cancer surveillance. You will still have all your planned care.

How long will it take to do the FIT test?

Collecting the FIT sample at home is quick and easy, usually taking no more than 5 to 10 minutes.

Will my doctor know my FIT test result?

No, your doctors and the people looking after your care will not see the results of your FIT test. This is so your care isn't influenced, and we can compare the FIT results to your usual check-ups fairly.

What happens to my poo sample?

Your poo sample will be sent to Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust for analysis. The results will be used to see how accurate the FIT test is in this study.

How to find out more

David J Humes

david.humes@nhs.net 0115 951 5151 Official trial record

Always speak to your GP or specialist before deciding to take part in a study.