Private qFIT Home Test Kit

qFIT Home Test Kit: Check for Hidden Blood in Your Stool

What's included for £59

• Test kit delivered to your door in discreet packaging
• Prepaid return to our laboratory
• Precise lab result, not just positive or negative
• A phone call with a Consultant Gastroenterologist to explain your result, whatever it shows
• Fast access to colonoscopy at LivingCare if you need further tests

What is the qFIT Test?

qFIT stands for Quantitative Faecal Immunochemical Test – a simple, non-invasive screening tool designed to detect tiny traces of blood in your stool that wouldn't be visible to the naked eye. This early detection method is crucial:bowel cancer is the third most common cancer in the UK – it is more treatable and has higher cure rates when caught early.

The test identifies haemoglobin (a protein found in red blood cells) within your stool sample. While the presence of blood could potentially indicate bowel cancer, it might also be caused by other conditions or large polyps (abnormal tissue growths).

qFIT testing represents an important first step in bowel health screening, particularly for those with symptoms or in higher-risk categories. LivingCare offers a convenient home testing service with expert follow-up care from our specialist Gastroenterology team.

How the qFIT Home Test Works

The qFIT home testing process is designed to be straightforward, private and convenient:

1. Order your test kit: Your qFIT test kit is delivered directly to your door within 1 to 2 days with clear instructions.
2. Take a sample at home: A qFIT kit has all you need to collect a tiny stool sample in the comfort and privacy of your home.
3. Post it back: Return your sample to our laboratory for analysis using the pre-paid packaging provided.
4. Receive your results: Your sample will be analysed by specialist technicians who quantify any blood detected in your stool and results will be sent back to you within a few weeks.
5. Expert consultation: Regardless of whether your result is positive or negative, you'll receive a call from a Consultant Gastroenterologist to discuss your results and any next steps.

Why choose a private qFIT test when the NHS offers one?

In England, the NHS posts a free FIT kit every two years to people aged 50 to 74. If you're in that group and have no symptoms, the NHS programme is a good option. A LivingCare test may suit you better if you:

• are under 50, or over 74, and want peace of mind
• • have a family history of bowel cancer and don't want to wait for your next invitation
• • are between NHS screening rounds and want to check sooner
• • want your result explained by a consultant, rather than by letter
• • want fast access to a colonoscopy if you need one

When this test isn't the right first step

If you have ongoing symptoms such as visible blood in your stool, a lasting change in bowel habit, unexplained weight loss, tummy pain or a lump, speak to a doctor promptly. You can see your own GP or book a private GP appointment with us, often the same day. A qFIT test alone should not be used to rule out a problem when you have symptoms.

Prefer to skip straight to the most thorough test? You can book a colonoscopy directly with one of our Consultant Gastroenterologists.

Risks and Considerations for qFIT Testing

The qFIT test itself carries no physical risks as it's non-invasive and requires only a stool sample. However, there are some important considerations:

• False positives: Some conditions, such as haemorrhoids, inflammatory bowel disease, or even certain foods can cause blood in the stool without the presence of cancer.
• False negatives: Not all bowel cancers bleed consistently, so a negative result doesn't completely rule out cancer.
• Psychological impact: Receiving test results can cause anxiety, which is why we ensure all patients speak with a Consultant Gastroenterologist regardless of their result.

It's important to remember that a positive qFIT test indicates the need for further investigation – it is not a cancer diagnosis.

Understanding your result

Your result is a number: the amount of haemoglobin (a protein in red blood cells) found per gram of stool. The higher the number, the more blood was detected.

• Low result: your consultant will talk through whether any further checks are sensible, based on your symptoms and family history. A low result is reassuring but can't completely rule out bowel cancer, as not all cancers bleed all the time. Regular screening may be advised depending on your risk factors.
• Raised result: this does not mean you have cancer. It means further investigation is needed, usually a colonoscopy, which we can arrange quickly at our own clinic. At LivingCare, we offer fast referral for colonoscopy procedures performed on-site by our expert Gastroenterologists. Our colonoscopy procedures are conducted to the highest quality standards, maximising the detection of pre-cancerous polyps and early bowel cancers.

Why Choose LivingCare for Your qFIT Test?

• Convenience: Easy-to-use test kits delivered directly and discreetly to your door.
• Speed: Fast turnaround from ordering to results.
• Expert guidance: Personal consultation with a Consultant Gastroenterologist regardless of your result.
• Seamless pathway: If further investigation is needed, we offer rapid access to colonoscopy at our state-of-the-art facilities.
• Quality assurance: Our Consultant Gastroenterologists are experts in detecting polyps and early bowel cancers.
• Peace of mind: Professional support throughout your screening journey.

Don't want to do the qFIT test first? You can opt to jump straight to a colonoscopy with a LivingCare Consultant Gastroenterologist.

References

• NHS: Bowel Cancer Screening
• Cancer Research UK: Bowel Cancer Screening
• British Society of Gastroenterology Guidelines for Colorectal Cancer Screening