NIHR Oxford Biomedical Research Centre

Enabling translational research through partnership

MENUMENU
  • About
    • About the NIHR Oxford Biomedical Research Centre
    • Activities during COVID-19
    • Strategic Partnership Board
    • Steering Committee
    • Promoting Equality, Diversity and Inclusion in Research
    • Current Vacancies
    • Contact Us
    • Stay in Touch
  • Research

        • Research Overview
        • Clinical Research Facility
        • 15 Research Themes

        • Cancer
        • Cardiovascular Medicine
        • Digital Health from Hospital to Home
        • Gene and Cell Therapy
        • Genomic Medicine
        • Imaging
        • Inflammation across Tissues
        • Life-saving Vaccines
        • Metabolic Experimental Medicine
        • Modernising Medical Microbiology and Big Infection Diagnostics
        • Musculoskeletal
        • Preventive Neurology
        • Respiratory Medicine
        • Surgical Innovation, Technology and Evaluation
        • Translational Data Science
  • Patient & Public Involvement
    • Getting involved with research
    • View and register for involvement opportunities
    • Patient & Public Groups
    • Patient and Public Involvement Advisory Group
    • Diversity in Research Group
    • Oxford Blood Group
    • Case Studies
    • PPIE Strategy
    • PPIE News
    • PPI Researcher Guidance
    • Researchers: Post a PPIE opportunity
  • Training Hub
    • Training Hub Overview
    • Clinical Academic Pathway
    • Internships
    • Preparatory Research Fellowships
    • Senior Research Fellowships
    • Research Training Bursaries
    • Doctoral Awards
    • Post-Doctoral Awards
    • Other funding
    • Leadership Training
    • Useful Links
    • Training and Education Resources
    • Upcoming Training Events & Courses
  • Industry
    • Collaborate with Oxford BRC
    • Who Do We Work With?
    • Events
    • Further Information and Additional Resources
    • Contacts for Industry
  • Videos
  • News
  • Events

News

You are here: Home > Molecular Diagnostics > Home colorectal cancer tests could prioritise patients for referral

Home colorectal cancer tests could prioritise patients for referral

20 July 2020 · Listed under Cancer, Molecular Diagnostics

Non-invasive home-based tests that detect blood in patient stool samples offer an accurate and appropriate triaging method for GPs, according to University of Oxford researchers.

The study, which is already informing a redesign of the colorectal cancer pathway at Oxford University Hospitals (OUH) NHS Foundation Trust, could prompt primary care services nationally to reprioritise symptomatic patients for urgent referral to hospital-based investigation of colorectal cancer.

With a backlog of patients awaiting investigation for possible colorectal cancer symptoms as a result of the coronavirus pandemic, simple, accurate tests are needed so those at higher-risk are given priority.

Since 2017, faecal immunochemical tests (FIT) have been recommended by the National Institute for health and Care Excellence to guide the referral of patients with unexplained symptoms for colorectal cancer investigation.

However, the test has been the subject of some controversy in the healthcare community with concerns raised about delayed diagnosis due to false negative results. In a 2018 survey, less than half of GPs questioned perceived the test to be accurate and preferred it over colonoscopy.

Lead researcher, Dr Brian Nicholson, an Oxford City GP and NIHR Clinical Academic lecturer in Oxford University’s Nuffield Department of Primary Care Health Sciences, said: “This study will give GPs the confidence to request a FIT test for patients with symptoms of colorectal cancer.

“FIT provides a non-invasive simple home-based test that supports urgent referral for colorectal cancer investigation if positive. If negative, the risk of cancer is similar to somebody without symptoms and immediate referral can be avoided, but patients should be given safety netting advice to re-consult if their symptoms are persistent or worsening.”

To assess the diagnostic accuracy of the FIT test in symptomatic people, the team of researchers from Oxford University and OUH analysed the results of 14,487 FIT test requests for Oxfordshire patients with symptoms that could be colorectal cancer.

Patients were followed-up via their electronic patient health record for up to 36 months for evidence of colorectal disease.

The study is the first to robustly demonstrate that a positive test of 10 micrograms or more of haemoglobin per gram of sample, as recommended by NICE as a threshold for urgent referral, would detect 91% of underlying cancers in the one in 10 people with symptoms who receive a positive test.

The research is supported by the National Institute for Health Research Oxford Biomedical Research Centre (BRC) as part of its molecular diagnostics theme.

Professor James East, Consultant Gastroenterologist at OUH said: “The simple at-home kit could be used to reduce pressure on urgent NHS referral pathways by identifying patients who do not require further investigation for colorectal cancer, thereby controlling colonoscopy demand and reducing costs.

“FIT could also be used to reprioritise patients with colorectal cancer symptoms whose tests have been delayed by the COVID-19 pandemic, helping us avoid delayed cancer diagnosis due to the backlog.

“A positive FIT test from a patient tested in primary care for suspected colorectal cancer or serious colorectal disease should prompt urgent referral for definitive colorectal investigation.”

FIT tests can be posted to the patient as a kit or collected from the GP. It simply involves collecting one stool sample at home, which is returned for laboratory testing to search for signs of blood. The research has been published in Alimentary Pharmacology & Therapeutics.

← Study sheds light on breast cancer risk after pre-invasive disease
BRC researchers’ work recognised with Vice-Chancellor’s Awards →

Other news

News Categories

News by Month

See all news

Subscribe to the Oxford BRC Newsletter

Keep informed about the work of the Oxford BRC by subscribing to our Mailchimp e-newsletter. It is produced several times a year and delivers news and information about upcoming events straight to your inbox.

Subscribe Now

Oxford BRC on Social Media

  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn
  • Twitter
  • YouTube

Feedback

We’d love to hear your feedback. Please contact us at obrcenquiries@ouh.nhs.uk

  • Data Control and Privacy
  • Accessibility
  • Our Partners
  • Disclaimer
  • Contact

Copyright © 2023 NIHR Oxford Biomedical Research Centre