CKS is no longer commissioned by the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE). NICE remains committed to providing a replacement service for CKS and is currently reviewing its options. In the meantime, although CKS content is now not being maintained, it still remains relevant and will continue to be made available. CKS content was generated under a programme of topic creation and update. To check if the topic you are viewing is current or out of date, please refer to the topic publication details by clicking on the 'How up-to-date is this topic?' link in the left hand menu on individual topic pages.
Colorectal screening - Management
What is an abnormal/normal screening test?
- The result of a single screening test is considered to be:
- Clearly normal if none of the six samples taken are positive for faecal occult blood.
- Clearly abnormal if five or six of the samples taken are positive for faecal occult blood.
- Unclear if one to four of the six samples taken are positive for faecal occult blood.
- For people with a single unclear test result, up to two further tests may be required for clarification. Subsequently:
- Screening is considered normal if:
- The initial screening test is clearly normal, or
- An initial screening test was unclear, but two subsequent screening tests are normal.
- Screening is considered abnormal if:
- The initial screening test is clearly abnormal, or
- An initial screening test is unclear, and one of two subsequent screening tests is unclear or clearly abnormal.
- If there is a technical problem in processing the kit or the kit is unreadable owing to incorrect use, participants are sent a letter explaining the problem and a replacement kit.
[NHS Bowel Cancer Screening Programme, 2006]
© NHS Institute for Innovation and Improvement