3 Next-Step Questions After a Positive FIT Stool Test

Contact the team that ordered your FIT and ask who is arranging the follow-up.

Three questions to settle with the clinic

1. Who is placing the colonoscopy referral? Confirm the receiving clinic and the appointment process. Colonoscopy examines the colon directly, and abnormal tissue can be removed or sampled during the examination. Ask when you should call if the referral has not reached you.²

2. What preparation will I need? Colonoscopy requires cleansing the bowel, and most patients receive sedation. Ask for written directions about the preparation, diet and medicines. Have the team explain the plan for your prescriptions and the arrangements needed afterward.²

3. When will we discuss the findings? If tissue is removed or biopsied, it is examined for cancer. Ask how you will get both the examination findings and any later tissue results, and who explains the next step.²

Tell the team what could prevent you attending

Write down practical obstacles before the scheduling call: getting the preparation, time away from work, transport or uncertainty about the instructions. Ask whom you can contact to resolve each one. If you need to change the date, arrange a replacement appointment with the clinic.

Keep the FIT report with your referral and preparation instructions. At the results visit, ask for the findings and follow-up plan in a form you can refer to later.

Bloated by Dinner lists a Test-It list and visit script in its toolkit. They can help organize questions for a digestive-care appointment. A positive screening result needs its clinical follow-up. See the book.