Mast reflects on how COVID-19 has affected faecal immunochemical testing (FIT), bowel cancer detection and referrals.
6th August 2021
At the very start of the pandemic COVID-19 had far-reaching and devastating effects on all healthcare services in the UK. National screening programmes were suspended for a time and although temporary, the back log and long term effects on rates of colorectal cancer in the population are yet to be realised. In a publication in The Lancet it is estimated that the COVID-19 pandemic would result in worse prognosis for 14000 patients over the next 10 years.
Use of faecal immunochemical testing as an alternative to faecal calprotectin in children
6th August 2021
This novel study compares FIT and faecal calprotectin tests in a paediatric population. The use of FIT for colorectal cancer screening and detection of adverse bowel pathology is well documented in adult patients but there is little published data on the use of FIT in children
New Product: V-PH19 Sample Diluent
6th August 2021
PH19 Sample Diluent
Product Code: V-PH19
Pack Size: 3x45ml
Sample diluent for automated dilution of over-range FIT samples of the OC-Sensor™ PLEDIA. This standalone diluent provides a cost effective solution to quantify high FIT results. Limited stocks are availbale now from MAST.
BLOG: Bowel cancer surveillance for high-risk patients in the time of COVID-19: What have we learned?
6th August 2021
Annie Lincoln, Ph.D. Student within the Cancer Prevention Group at King’s College London, gives an insight into emerging research into improving colorectal cancer surveillance for individuals with a hereditary predisposition to cancer, namely in the context of Lynch Syndrome
A summary of ‘Risk of gastrointestinal cancer in a symptomatic cohort after a complete colonoscopy: Role of faecal immunochemical test by Pin-Vieito et al,. January 2020’
26th March 2020 - FIT Paper Summary
This study by Pin-Vieito et al., assesses whether symptomatic patients that had no colorectal cancer (CRC) after a positive FIT result have an increased risk of developing other gastrointestinal (GI) cancer resulting in death. It is theorised that some conditions could result in blood passing from the gastrointestinal tract into the colon unmetabolised, therefore the question was posed: could a positive FIT result (>10 µg Hb /g faeces) be related to other GI cancers?
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A summary of ‘Early clinical outcomes of a rapid colorectal cancer diagnosis pathway using faecal immunochemical testing in Nottingham by C.Chapman et al., December 2019’
26th March 2020 - Summary of FIT Papers
FIT technology has been shown to dramatically improve results when compared to the more traditional criteria that have been used in the past. This is of considerable importance when consideration is given to the finances, the enormous diagnostic capacity, pressures and patient outcome that the colorectal cancer (CRC) two-week-wait (2WW) pathway has demonstrated.
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OC-Sensor™ User Testimonials
3rd October 2019 - OC-Sensor™ User Testimonials
Mast Group Ltd would like to thank OC-Sensor™ Users for providing feedback
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OC-Sensor™ At IBMS Congress 2019
3rd October 2019 - OC-Sensor™ at IBMS Congress 2019
Mast Group Ltd had two stands at IBMS Congress 2019; one in Hall 4 focused on Microbiology products and another located in the registration area dedicated entirely to FIT.
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Meet the FIT Technical Team
3rd October 2019
Mast Group Ltd have a dedicated FIT team based at Mast Headquarters in Bootle, Merseyside. The FIT team provides technical support to Mast account managers and customers pre and post sales.
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Luton & Dunstable Audit of FIT Poster
24th July 2019 - Audit of FIT Poster from Luton and Dunstable University Hospital NHS Foundation Trust
Luton and Dunstable University Hospital NHS Foundation Trust have published a poster auditing Faecal Immunochemical Tests in a group of primary care symptomatic patients...
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Norfolk & Norwich University Hospital Trust: FIT Pilot Study
15th April 2019 - Norfolk & Norwich University Hospital Interview
Norfolk & Norwich University Hospital (NNUH) Biochemistry Department is a hub laboratory closely aligned with our spoke laboratories at James Paget University Hospital and Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Kings Lynn.
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Level 3 Liquid Control - How low can you go?
Accuracy and confidence in faecal immunochemical testing (FIT) is critical.
OC-Sensor is routinely employed by Bowel Cancer Screening Programs worldwide to quantify very small amounts of haemoglobin in stool samples.
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Getting FIT in Nottingham
Nottingham University Hospitals Trust (NUHT) is continuing a long and distinguished history of scientific and service enhancements in the field for colorectal cancer, by offering an accredited reference service for FIT in symptomatic patients.
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Royal Preston Hospital Adopts the OC-Sensor Faecal Immunochemical Test
The Royal Preston Hospital, Lancashire, has adopted OC-Sensor Faecal Immunochemical Test (FIT) into their Clinical Pathology services to provide a fast, accurate method for the diagnosis of colorectal diseases.
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FIT Around The World
Increased uptake rates for OC-Sensor in Spain:
Basque country recently presented a poster, displaying exceptional uptake rates in the 4th consecutive round of screening; at the 2017 International Cancer Screening Network (ICSN). The poster demonstrates an overall increase in participation of men from 63.7% to 71.9% and 69.1% to 76% in women, from the 1st round to the 4th round, respectively. The importance of the first participation is demonstrated as key to the successive increase in uptake from 66.5% to 74.1%.
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Cutting edge development
Eiken Chemical Co. is proud to announce the release of new V-PH59 LV3 Liquid Control for the OC-Sensor platform. V-PH59 complements the existing range of ready to use, liquid controls and calibrators by increasing confidence at low faecal haemoglobin concentrations often experienced in symptomatic populations.
The addition of V-PH59 means that OC-Sensor is the only platform to provide additional control points for laboratories adopting FIT as part of NG12 guidelines at the recommended cut off of 10µg/g.
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NG12 – OC Sensor™ shown to be cost effective
The recent publication of the NICE Diagnostics guidance reported that OC Sensor™ is cost effective in the NG12 pathway when compared to other FIT, guaiac and no triage models.
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Testing for colorectal cancer: A focus on FIT technology
Approximately 41,000 people are diagnosed with colorectal cancer (CRC) in the UK each year, and over 90% of cases are treated successfully following early detection. However, to selectively refer those patients with suspected CRC in a primary care setting remains immensely challenging. The recent revision of the NICE (NG12) ‘red flag’ criteria for the two-week wait aims to increase the CRC detection rate.
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NICE Health Technology Assessment
28th October 2016: Following the release of the revised NG12 Urgent cancer referral pathway in 2015, NICE have selected OC Sensor as the subject of a Health Technology Assessment for the use of FIT in patients at low risk of CRC in a primary care setting. Due for publication early in 2017.
FIT Pilot Study
24th October 2016: In 2014, the NHS Bowel Cancer Screening Programme (BCSP) in England ran a pilot study to assess the operational and financial implications of using Faecal Immunochemical Testing (FIT) for haemoglobin detection rather than Guaiac Faecal Occult Blood Testing (gFOBT). The results demonstrated very good correlation between the four OC-Sensor DIANA analysers used, and sets a benchmark for such analysers in a screening programme.
OC Sensor and MAST FITpac demonstrate outstanding results in a pilot studies
24th October 2016: The NHS Bowel Cancer Screening Programme (BCSP) in England has used a guaiac-based Faecal Occult Blood Test (gFOBT) since its inception in 2006. Through the pilot study to assess the implications of adopting FIT in England, OC-Sensor and Mast® FITpac demonstrated outstanding results. The participation rate increased by 7%, with the most significant increases being observed in patient quintiles that are considered 'hard to reach'.
New Support Facility
24th October 2016: Mast® have opened a new training and support facility at their head office in Merseyside. The facility allows support for all partners through a managed technical support line and remote support via the N3 network.
Instrument and product support are paramount in ensuring a reliable service for Bowel Cancer Screening programmes. Mast® promote and support the OC Sensor platform in 10 countries throughout Europe and have established Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) to monitor and adapt the service for partners' needs, be they large national screening programmes or local laboratories.
Instrument Support Team Expansion
24th October 2016: Mast® have expanded the UK based instrument support by welcoming Rebecca Broughton and Jason Edwards to our team of IT and product specialists. Mast® aim to provide the service and support deserved by our customers. Rebecca and Jason are able to support customers in the laboratories and will be key to innovation by taking the time to understand how our products are used and the day to day pressures placed upon our partners.