GI/Colorectal

GI symptoms are common and can sometimes be caused by non-GI cancer as well as benign disease. Lower and upper GI symptoms can overlap, and symptoms alone are not enough to identify risk. Examination including PR, blood tests and FIT test will help primary care clinicians get the patient the right test or onto the right referral pathway.

 Combined GI Symptoms Urgent Suspected Cancer Referral

The combined GI symptoms urgent suspected cancer referral pathway is in use in most of NENC (Newcastle/CDDFT/Northumbria/North and South Tees). In the areas where it has been adopted, the combined form has replaced the separate upper and lower GI referral pathways. The referral form is available electronically in SystemOne and EMIS with the other USC referral forms.

👉 Combined upper and lower GI referral form

For further guidance on the Northern Cancer Alliance Combined GI pathway view the webinar recording below:

 Colorectal/FIT (Faecal Immunochemical Test)

FIT (faecal immunochemical test) should be used for people with symptoms consistent with NICE NG12 FIT Guidance . Also see NICE Endorsed BSG FIT Guidance for GPs.

FIT (Faecal Immunochemical Test) is a test for blood in poo and has changed how we assess colorectal symptoms and identify risk of colorectal cancer. FIT is in NICE guidance and is the key to identifying people with GI symptoms who need urgent lower GI endoscopy for suspected colorectal cancer.

FIT is also a key component of the PCN DES with an emphasis on effective safety netting and addressing any apparent inequalities regarding return rates.  See our DES pages here.

Below are links to helpful information and education resources:

👉 Gateway C – Accredited Courses

👉 CRUK Investigations Insights

👉 GP Hot Topics webinar

FIT Patient Information

👉 NCA FIT Information Leaflet Colour

👉 NCA FIT Information Leaflet Black and White

This short animation has been developed to support patients completing a symptomatic FIT test in North Cumbria.

Upper GI Cancers

Use the NENC upper gastro-intestinal symptoms pathway and the dyspepsia non-invasive management referral guidance to support people in primary care and identify those who need upper GI endoscopy.

👉 Upper GI Symptom Management