Do At-Home Colorectal Tests Really Work?

You’ve seen the commercials on TV touting a way to screen for colon cancer at home. Have you watched them and asked yourself, “Does that even really work?”

The answer is “yes” and “no.” The most effective way to screen for colon cancer remains a colonoscopy, but let’s talk about these technological advancements in the form of at-home screening tests.

Every day, your colon sheds cells that line the colon. Those cells go into the stool, and this is what at-home screening tests are looking for. The FDA has approved three types of at-home colon cancer screening tests, but only two are in wide use. We will focus on those two.

Fecal Immunochemical Test (FIT)

The FIT test uses antibodies to detect blood in a patient’s stool. If a patient has polyps present in the colon, those polyps can shed blood into the stool — this is what this test is looking for.

At home, you will collect a small amount of fecal matter and send it to the lab for testing. A kit is provided that includes everything you will need — a sterile container, swap, and a special mailing envelope. This test must be done once a year, and if the test returns a “positive” result, you will still need a colonoscopy to confirm the presence of any polyps that need to be removed.

This test is about 79% accurate — but it does return false negatives. The only way to confirm the presence of polyps is with a colonoscopy.

Most insurance companies cover the FIT test.

Fecal Immunochemical DNA Test (FIT-DNA)

The FIT-DNA test combines the FIT test (described above) with a DNA test that detects altered DNA in the stool. This is the test you see in all those commercials.

At home, you will collect an entire stool and send it to a lab for testing. Like the FIT test, everything you need to collect and send the sample is provided. In this case, the lab is looking for the presence of blood as well as DNA markers that indicate colon cancer and/or precancerous polyps.

It’s recommended that the FIT DNA test be completed every three years, and if it returns a “positive” result, you will still need a colonoscopy to confirm the presence of any polyps that need to be removed.

This screening test is about 92% accurate, and while it also can return false negatives, it’s more accurate than the FIT test.

FIT-DNA screening is pricier than the FIT test, and not all insurance companies cover it.

The Most Accurate Solution

Colonoscopies are about prevention. They remain the most accurate way to detect — and remove — polyps in your intestine, thus reducing your chances of developing colon cancer.

While at-home screening tests are a good tool for doctors and patients to have, a colonoscopy is still the gold standard when it comes to colon cancer screenings. Additionally, anyone who has a history of polyps or family members with colorectal cancers does not qualify for at-home tests and is recommended to do regular colonoscopies.

With regular screenings in close consultation with your doctor, we can find and prevent colon cancers. Our team cannot emphasize the importance of preventative healthcare enough. If it’s time for you to be screened, give our office a call at 864-232-7338, and we will help you get set up and answer any questions you might have. Or, you can visit us online to request an appointment. We have a convenient program that allows you to schedule your screening colonoscopy without needing a clinic visit!