Colorectal Resources

1. Patient gets the kit — You order it for your patient using the requisition; Fecal Immunochemical Test (FIT) Requisition – For Colorectal Cancer Screening. Read the Instructions for completing the FIT requisition. In-Common Laboratories mails it to your patient’s Ontario address. If someone doesn’t have a clinician, they call Health811 (811) to get a FIT.
2. Patient does the test at home — No diet or medication changes needed; it takes a few minutes.
3. Return it quickly — Patient mails it using the postage-paid envelope included in their FIT package or drop it off to a Rexall Pharmacy within 2 days so that it can be tested at the lab. For Rexall locations : visit.iclabs.ca/FIT/locations (Try to send it within 2 days; In-Common Laboratories must receive it within 14 days. Help line: 1-833-676-1426.)
4. Patient gets results by mail — If normal, repeat FIT in 2 years. If positive (abnormal), you refer your patient to the Waterloo Wellington Regional Colonoscopy Access Program to be booked for a colonoscopy, ideally within 8 weeks. Refer via Ocean eReferral or fax referral form found here: WWCCAP referral form.

If your patient:

• has blood in their stool or on the toilet paper,
• are currently bleeding from diagnosed hemorrhoids or are on their period (wait 3 days after bleeding stops), or
• just had dental work that caused bleeding (wait 3 days).

Symptoms like persistent bleeding, bowel habit changes, unexplained weight loss, or ongoing abdominal pain need assessment—you may refer your patient directly for a colonoscopy.

An abnormal FIT doesn’t always mean cancer, but it does mean more testing is needed. Your patient should have a colonoscopy within 8 weeks to find the cause and remove any polyps.

Free with OHIP. FIT and screening colonoscopy are covered for eligible Ontarians.