Positive FIT test — what now?
First things first: a positive FIT test is not a cancer diagnosis. It only means that traces of blood were found in your stool — and that should be followed up soon. How that works, and why you can stay calm, is explained here.
What a positive result means
The FIT test (faecal immunochemical test) detects tiny amounts of blood in the stool that are invisible to the naked eye. Blood in the stool can have many causes — very often these are harmless sources such as haemorrhoids or small injuries of the mucous membrane. It can, however, also come from polyps: benign growths of the bowel lining from which colorectal cancer can develop over the years.
This is exactly why the follow-up is so valuable: if a polyp is found and removed, the potential precursor is gone before it can ever turn into a carcinoma.
The next step: the follow-up colonoscopy
After a positive FIT test, a colonoscopy is the recommended examination. Only a colonoscopy can make the source of the bleeding directly visible — and remove suspicious polyps in the same session.
- Gentle, with sedation: you sleep through the examination and will not notice any of it. The sedation cost is covered by the statutory insurers.
- Time frame: the examination itself takes 20–30 minutes; with admission and observation, plan around two hours.
- Result straight away: you receive the written report immediately afterwards, including a debriefing.
- Covered by insurance: the follow-up colonoscopy after a positive stool test is covered by all statutory insurers — all you need is your e-card.
How to prepare for the examination, step by step: Preparing for the colonoscopy.
How soon should the follow-up take place?
A positive FIT test is not an emergency — you do not need to be examined today or tomorrow. The follow-up should, however, take place within the next few weeks and not be postponed indefinitely. Also good to know: after a positive result the test should not simply be repeated — even an unremarkable second test would not replace the follow-up examination.
FIT test from the Vienna screening programme?
Since June 2026 the City of Vienna has been inviting all Viennese between 45 and 75 to colorectal cancer screening. If your positive FIT test comes from this programme, you have been informed about the result — the follow-up colonoscopy is the intended next step. More about the programme: Colorectal cancer screening in Vienna — FIT test or colonoscopy?
Appointment for your follow-up
We take our time — from the first question to the debriefing. English-speaking patients are very welcome.
Appointment: +43 1 890 56 72 Request a callback
Or book your appointment online via the platform arztterminwien.at.