Colorectal cancer

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is a cancer of the colon (large intestine) or rectum¹. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), colorectal cancer is currently the third most common cancer and the second most common cancer-related cause of death worldwide. Around 1.9 million colorectal cancer cases are diagnosed annually.² 

The risk of colorectal cancer increases with age and incidence is highest among people over 50 years. However, incidence has also been rising among younger adults in several countries.^2,3 In a study published in Lancet, where data for 50 countries and territories was evaluated, it was found that early-onset colorectal cancer (diagnosed between 25–49 years) has increased in various economies and regions worldwide marking it as a global phenomenon.⁴ 

Faecal occult blood can be a sign of colorectal cancer

In its early stages, colorectal cancer often has no symptoms¹. However, the blood vessels of colorectal polyps or cancers are often fragile and easily bleed into the colon or rectum. Small quantities of lower gastrointestinal bleeding can occur in healthy individuals, but it may also indicate an underlying gastrointestinal disorder. This bleeding is rarely visible in the stool, but haemoglobin from faecal occult blood can be detected with a faecal immunochemical test (FIT), such as QuikRead go iFOBT.  

Faecal immunochemical test (FIT) levels correlate with the cancer severity

The faecal haemoglobin (f-Hb) concentrations are generally higher in men than in women and increase by age⁵. Faecal immunochemical tests (FIT) provide quantitative information on excessive bleeding and aid in triaging patients for further gastrointestinal tract investigations, such as colonoscopy. FIT result levels also correlate with the cancer severity⁶.  

Negative results assist in the identification of patients who would unlikely benefit from the colonic investigation, or they can be assigned for lower priority. Thus, negative FIT results may reduce unnecessary colonoscopies.⁷ A point-of-care (POC) FIT test allows immediate results that can be used for faster decision making and improved risk-stratification of the patients. 

Early detection of colorectal cancer improves the chance of survival

Early detection of colorectal cancer or its precursors significantly improves the chance of survival, requires less-invasive treatment, and reduces treatment costs. Regular screenings are an effective way to detect colorectal cancer early as screening has been shown to reduce both incidence and mortality.^1,8 

Screening using faecal immunochemical tests (FIT) is recommended by the Council of Europe and by the American College of Physicians for individuals between 50-74 years old^8,9. 

Adjustable cut-off in colorectal screening

The quantitative FIT result enables adjustment of cut-offs according to patient needs or to meet recommendations of national screening programs in different countries.  

The optimal cut-off can be adjusted based on available endoscopic resources, colorectal cancer prevalence in the population, and expected participation rate in the screening program¹⁰. FIT cut-offs of 20-30 µg/g are recommended when the health care system can organize colonoscopies for approximately 5% of the screened patients aged 50–74 years who receive a positive FIT result¹¹. 

Point-of-care FIT testing with QuikRead go iFOBT

QuikRead go iFOBT is a point-of-care FIT test for the detection and quantitation of faecal haemoglobin (f-Hb) in stool samples. The test can be used in routine physical examinations and in screening programmes for colorectal cancer. 

The test provides quantitative information on excessive bleeding from the lower gastrointestinal tract and helps identify patients who should be referred for further gastrointestinal tract investigations, such as colonoscopy. The test is non-invasive and can be performed at any time – no dietary restrictions are required. 

Quantitative results allow alignment with national screening programme recommendations in different countries, and results can be weighed against each patient’s age, gender and possible risk factors.

The QuikRead go iFOBT test, used together with the QuikRead go or QuikRead go Plus instrument, requires only a few manual steps and minimal hands-on time. An objective, instrument-read result is available within 2 minutes.

Benefits of QuikRead go iFOBT:

• High-quality test with minimal hands-on time
• Instrument-read quantitative result available in 2 minutes > allows local cut-off adjustment
• Handy and hygienic sampling vial included > sample storage possible for up to 5 days in the sampling tube, allowing sampling at home

References

1. World Health Organization. Colorectal cancer. https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/colorectal-cancer Accessed 3.3.2026.
2. World Health Organization. Global Cancer Observatory database. https://gco.iarc.fr/  Accessed 3.3.2026.
3. United European Gastroenterology. Burden, economic impact and research gaps: Key findings from the Pan-European study on digestive diseases and cancers. https://www.nxtbook.com/ueg/UEG/burden-economic-impact-and-research-gaps/index.php#/p/16  Accessed 3.3.2026.
4. Sung, Hyuna et al. Colorectal cancer incidence trends in younger versus older adults: an analysis of population-based cancer registry data. The Lancet Oncology, Volume 26, Issue 1, 51 - 63, January 2025; published online December 11, 2024. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/S1470-2045(24)00600-4 
5. McDonald PJ et al. Faecal hemoglobin concentration by gender and age; implications for population – based screening for colorectal cancer. Clin Chem Lab Med. 2012; 50:935-40.
6. Navarro M et al. Fecal hemoglobin concentration, a good predictor of risk of advanced colorectal neoplasia in symptomatic and asymptomatic Patients. Front Med (Lausanne) 2019; 6:31.
7. Mclean W et al. Diagnostic accuracy of point of care faecal immunochemical testing using a portable high-speed quantitative analyser for diagnosis in 2-week wait patients. Colorectal Disease 2021; 00:1–11.
8. von Karsa L, Patnick J, Segnan N. European guidelines for quality assurance in colorectal cancer screening and diagnosis. First Edition - Executive summary. Endoscopy. 2012 Sep;44 Suppl 3:SE1-8.
9. Rex D et al. Colorectal Cancer Screening: Recommendations for Physicians and Patients from the U.S. Multi-Society Task Force on Colorectal Cancer.Am J Gastroenterol 2017; 112:1016-1030.
10. Grazzini G et al. Immunochemical faecal occult blood test: number of samples and positivity cutoff. What is the best strategy for colorectal cancer screening? Br J Cancer 2009; 100:259-265.
11. Hamza S et al. Diagnostic yield of a one sample immunochemical test at different cut-off values in an organised screening programme for colorectal cancer. Eur J Cancer 2013; 49:2727-2733.