FIT Testing
Bowel cancer is the fourth most common cancer in the United Kingdom, yet when caught early it is one of the most treatable. Faecal immunochemical testing (FIT) is now established as the method of choice for both national bowel cancer screening programmes and symptomatic testing pathways in primary care, offering a sensitive, non-invasive method for detecting hidden blood in stool samples that may indicate cancer or high-risk polyps.
Mast Group has been at the forefront of FIT diagnostics since 2005, building the clinical evidence base that has supported the introduction of FIT across European screening programmes and we are proud to serve as the diagnostic partner to the NHS England Bowel Cancer Screening Programme since 2019. Mast Group also convenes Faec Meet, an annual scientific conference bringing together laboratory specialists, clinical biochemists, gastroenterologists, cancer alliance representatives and researchers to share learning and advance practice in bowel cancer testing.
Screening and symptomatic testing
Mast Group distributes the OC-Sensor™ range of FIT diagnostic products and instruments, developed by Eiken Chemical Co. Ltd. The range includes OC-Sensor™ analysers and their associated reagents, supporting high-volume centralised screening laboratories and symptomatic testing services. Mast currently supports bowel cancer screening programmes across 11 territories in the UK and Europe, bringing the operational expertise and continuity of supply that high-volume national screening programmes demand.
Sample collection and accessibility
Delivering an effective FIT service requires simple and reliable sample collection. The MAST® FITPac is a customisable, patient-centric sample collection pack supplied assembled and ready to use, with components including OC-Sensor™ sample bottles, bespoke instructions, faeces collection paper, specimen bags and return envelopes. Available in pack sizes of 25 or 100, FITPac can be tailored to the requirements of your service. For patients with visual impairment or manual dexterity challenges, the MAST® FIT aid is a patented accessibility device developed in partnership with NHS England, the Royal National Institute of Blind People (RNIB), Thomas Pocklington Trust and Parkinson's UK, enabling people to complete their FIT test independently and with dignity.
Faecal calprotectin
Alongside FIT, Mast supplies faecal calprotectin testing using the same OC-Sensor™ platform and sample collection bottle, meaning laboratories can run both tests from a single patient sample. Calprotectin is a complementary marker used to distinguish inflammatory bowel conditions from non-inflammatory causes of bowel symptoms, supporting faster and more informed clinical decision-making.
