Fewer colonoscopies following updated guidance
Tens of thousands of people a year could be spared the need for a colonoscopy following guidance from the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence. People with signs or symptoms of colorectal cancer should be offered a home test with quantitative faecal immunochemical tests (FIT) from 1 of 2 technologies (HM-JACKarc or OC-Sensor). This could lead to faster diagnosis, with fewer people referred to secondary care for an unnecessary colonoscopy. People who require follow up investigation can then be prioritised for referral leading to colonoscopy services focusing on those people who need them most.