In a routine bowel cancer screening program using FIT, what is the recommended interval?

• A. Every 1 year
• B. Every 2 years
• C. Every 5 years
• D. Every 10 years

Answer: (B)

When using FIT for routine population screening, a negative result implies a low short-term risk of having a detectable cancer or advanced lesion, so the test is repeated at intervals that balance timely detection with practicality. The standard interval is every two years. This biennial schedule reflects the test’s ability to identify occult blood and the typical pace of colorectal neoplasia progression; testing more often would add workload with limited extra benefit, while testing less often would risk cancers becoming detectable between rounds. If a FIT result is positive, a follow-up colonoscopy is performed to confirm or rule out cancer. Shorter intervals (like yearly) would unnecessary burden the system, while longer intervals (such as five or ten years) would allow significant disease to develop between screens.