Risk for detecting CRC up to 13-times higher with fecal hemoglobin in prior negative FIT (Healio)

Individuals with fecal hemoglobin concentrations of 5 µg/g to 40 µg/g face a 5- to 13-fold increased risk for colorectal neoplasia. Higher fecal hemoglobin levels are particularly predictive of advanced neoplasia detection. A systematic review of 13 studies found a strong association between prior fecal hemoglobin levels and subsequent colorectal neoplasia risk, supporting tailored CRC screening based on quantitative FIT values. These findings suggest that incorporating quantitative fecal hemoglobin data into CRC screening programs could enhance effectiveness and balance the harm-benefit ratio.