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Abstract Aim 2-week wait (2ww) Colorectal cancer (CRC) referrals have risen along with increased use of colonoscopy, potentially exposing patients to repeated invasive investigation. Current guidelines recommend the use of quantitative faecal immunochemical testing (qFIT) in primary care to prioritise patients for investigation. This study aims to characterise 2ww CRC referrals in a London hospital. Method This is a retrospective quality improvement study, analysing primary care 2ww CRC referrals in October 2022 in a London hospital. Data collected included referral symptoms, completion of a qFIT prior to referral, previous exclusion of CRC, and subsequent investigation outcome. Results Of 173 patients referred on the CRC 2ww pathway in October 2022, 21% did not require further investigation. 16% of patients had undergone a colonoscopy within 12 months excluding CRC. Only 61% of referrals included a qFIT. 71% of these were qFIT positive, and 11% were diagnosed with CRC. The overall CRC detection rate was 2.2%, all with qFIT 200. The PPV of qFIT for CRC was 5%, and 53% for polyps. Conclusion 39% of this patient cohort were referred without qFIT. Those who are qFIT negative or have had CRC excluded in the past 12 months may not require investigation on a 2WW pathway, may be suitable for investigation with lower priority, and may not need invasive investigation at all. Although the use of qFIT has been nationally recommended to prioritise the urgency of investigation, this study suggests this has not been universally adopted. Wider use of qFIT before 2ww referral may guide the use of resources and aid diagnosis and management of patients with symptoms of CRC.
Curtis-Lopez et al. (Sun,) studied this question.