Prevent CRC Today

FIT + mt-sDNA - Test Process and Next Steps

Kit Ordered by Your Doctor and Mailed to Your Home

Your test kit will have instructions to guide you through the testing process.  There are no preparation or dietary requirements prior to completing the stool sample collection.

Sample Collection

You’ll place the included bucket under your toilet seat to collect your stool. After your bowel movement, you’ll swab a small sample from the stool for the FIT portion of the test.  The entire sample is sealed carefully and sent in the prepaid box for lab analysis within 3 days or 72 hours of collection.

A healthcare professional discussing screening results with a patient in a private office.
Test Results and Next Steps

Test results are typically available in less than two weeks. A positive test indicates blood and/or abnormal DNA detected in the sample and a follow-up colonoscopy is required to complete the screening process. For negative results, current guidelines recommend repeating the test in three years to maintain regular screening and ensure continued monitoring.

Understanding the Risks and Limitations of FIT + mt-sDNA Testing

While Cologuard has no direct risks as a non-invasive test, choosing this method means that any positive result will require a follow-up colonoscopy. As a result, the risks associated with colonoscopy—such as bleeding, perforation, or sedation-related complications—are still a part of the screening process when a follow-up procedure is necessary.

While the sensitivity of Cologuard is improved compared to FIT, it still has limitations. The test misses approximately 8% of colorectal cancers and is less reliable at detecting precancerous lesions, including those with high-grade dysplasia, the stage just before a polyp turns into cancer.

Test completion requires follow-through with a colonoscopy in the event of a positive result, yet currently, just over 50% of patients with a positive non-invasive test proceed to a colonoscopy within a year.

  • Detects 92% of colorectal cancer
  • Detects 69% of polyps with high grade dysplasia
  • Detects 42% of all advanced precancerous lesions (APL)