Colorectal cancer (also known as bowel cancer) is common. The prognosis and chance of cure are much better if this cancer is detected at an early stage rather than at a later stage.
Mediclinic offers colorectal cancer screening for everyone eligible for this screening. Cancer screening is always offered to a specific group, based on international research and guidelines per type of cancer.
To check if you are able to proceed with colorectal cancer screening, please answer the below questions before making an appointment:
- Are you 40 years and above?
- Did you do colorectal cancer screening (Colonoscopy and/or FIT test) in the last 12 months?
If the answer is Yes, No then you are eligible for screening and you can proceed by making an appointment.
Screening packages rates:
- Colorectal cancer screening - AED 175
Includes:- Appointment with a Family Medicine physician in Mediclinic’s Virtual Clinic
- Faecal immunochemical testing (FIT)
What is colorectal cancer screening?
Screening means looking for early signs of a particular disease in otherwise healthy people who do not have any symptoms. If certain diseases are picked up early, the disease can be cured. Colorectal cancer screening aims to detect colorectal cancer at an early stage when there is a good chance that treatment will cure the cancer.
The colorectal screening is performed via faecal immunochemical testing (FIT). The process is described in more detail under the paragraph ‘the screenings process’.
Screening selection criteria:
For every one of 40 years or above, colorectal cancer screening should be offered.
Beside the age there are some other selection criteria to follow before proceeding with the screenings test:
- No previous colorectal cancer
- No inflammatory bowel disease
- No family history of bowel cancer
The screening process
If you are eligible for colorectal cancer screening (see information at the top of this webpage), then you make an appointment with one of the Family Medicine doctors in the Virtual Clinic. You can do this by calling 800 2033. We will quickly check your eligibility again before we schedule the actual appointment. You will receive a confirmation and payment link.
During the virtual consultation your Family Medicine doctor will go through a questionnaire with you, answer any of your questions and proceed with ordering the FIT test for you at hospital of your choice.
To screen for colorectal cancer we use faecal immunochemical testing (FIT). The FIT-test has a high sensitivity for the detection of colorectal cancer. The FIT test requires a stool sample. You can collect the kit for the stool sample at the laboratory in the hospital of your choice. Once you have your kit, you can follow the step-by-step instructions on how to complete the test. Once complete, you can return the sample and information to the same laboratory, so your sample can be tested.
You will receive the result of the test within 15 working days (three weeks) of the date the FIT test was given to the lab. The Family Medicine doctor from the Virtual Clinic will call you with the results.
What happens if the FIT test detects something?
For all abnormal or negative results the Family Medicine doctor from the Virtual Clinic will refer you to see a gastroenterologist by booking a consultation as soon as possible.
Frequently asked questions/ More information
What is a faecal immunochemical test (FIT)?
The faecal immunochemical test (FIT) is a test that looks for blood in a sample of your stool (poo). It looks for tiny traces of blood that you might not be able to see and which could be a sign of cancer.
Traces of blood in the stool can be caused by other medical conditions and doesn’t necessarily mean you have cancer. But if it is cancer, finding it at an early stage means treatment is more likely to work.
How can I prepare for the FIT test?
A FIT does not require any specific diet or medication preparation since it will only react to a specific type of blood. Do not do the stool tests during your menstrual period or if you have active bleeding from hemorrhoids.
How is a FIT test performed?
First you’ll collect the kit for the stool sample at the hospital of your choice; you can do this test yourself in the hospital or at home. You only need to collect one sample of your stool.
The easiest way to collect the sample is to use an old plastic container to put in the toilet to collect a poo. Make sure it will not touch the water, your pee or the toilet.
Follow the instructions that comes with the kit to prepare the sample for analysis. Bring the sample to the instructed desk/ laboratory. The sample will be analysed looking at blood level in the faeces within our laboratory.
What are the possible outcomes?
To give an overview of the possible outcomes of the test, we listed the categories below. There are two possible outcomes:
Normal or negative result:
No significant level of blood detected. No further follow up required.
Abnormal or positive result:
Blood detected, an appointment with a gastroenterologist is offered to discuss having a colonoscopy.
What happens after a FIT test?
The Family Medicine doctor from the Virtual Clinic will call you regarding the outcome of your FIT test.
If the outcome of the test is normal, no further follow-up is needed. You will be referred back to the screening program, which means that you can do a FIT test after two years.
If the outcome is positive or abnormal is means there is some blood detected. The Family Medicine doctor from the Virtual Clinic will book follow-up appointment with a gastroenterologist as soon as possible.
How often do I need a FIT test?
To conform the national guidelines for colorectal cancer screening a FIT test needs to be done every two years to ensure early detection.