The diagnostic accuracy of the faecal immunochemical test for the detection of early-onset colorectal cancer: an age-stratified analysis in South West England.

ABSTRACT:

Background

The incidence of early-onset colorectal cancer (EOCRC) is rising rapidly, with diagnoses typically occurring at a more advanced stage than late-onset CRC. In the absence of screening for younger patients, diagnosis relies on symptomatic presentation. The faecal immunochemical test (FIT) is a diagnostic triage tool for patients presenting with clinical features of CRC in primary care, though its performance in individuals under 50 years is not well established.

Methods

A cohort of 38,117 symptomatic patients aged 18-49 years in upper South West England underwent FIT in primary care between 01/01/2021 and 10/07/2023. A FIT result of ≥10 µg Hb/g faeces was considered positive. In the same region, 528 EOCRC diagnoses were recorded between 01/01/2021 and 10/10/2024.

SUBMITTER: Barlow M 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12533231 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature