In their recent Gastroenterology editorial, Dr. Audrey H. Calderwood (Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center) and Dr. Theodore R. Levin (Kaiser Permanente) raise a compelling question: can fecal immunochemical testing (FIT) be used beyond colorectal cancer (CRC) screening — to guide colonoscopy decisions in patients with GI symptoms?
Highlighting new data from Mansvelders et al., they discuss how using FIT in symptomatic patients could help triage colonoscopy referrals more efficiently — without significantly compromising cancer detection. This approach may help address urgent access challenges, especially in underserved areas.
With CRC symptoms being common and colonoscopy resources limited, this editorial encourages the GI community to reconsider the role of FIT, especially in low-risk younger populations.
Read the editorial in Gastroenterology: https://doi.org/10.1053/j.gastro.2025.01.017
