Point of Care Faecal Immunochemical Testing for Colorectal Cancer

Blood that can be detected in stool via faecal immunochemical testing is a recognised risk factor for the presence of colorectal cancer. There are a number of point of care faecal immunochemical testing devices available. This study is to trial one of these machines into the clinical setting to see if the results are safe and accurate as a 'rule out' test for colorectal cancer. We will be investigating patients that present with symptoms or anaemia to their GP and are referred on the two-week rule pathway to our hospital. It has also been advocated that digital rectal examination (which is part of the routine assessment for a patient presenting to colorectal clinic) provides an opportunity to use a small sample of stool from a gloved finger to perform faecal immunochemical testing. We will be comparing a patient provided sample with a DRE sample on a standard laboratory-based machine.