Croatia introduces new FIT test for colorectal cancer screening

Croatia is preparing to relaunch its national colorectal cancer early detection program by the end of the year, introducing a new, more sensitive, and user-friendly FIT (Fecal Immunochemical Test).

A pilot project in Zagreb has already demonstrated significant improvements in participation. While the previous Guaiac-based test saw a 37 percent response rate, the new FIT test has achieved a 66 percent response rate among the 5,000 individuals sent kits in April. In the pilot so far, 2,951 individuals tested negative and 352 tested positive.

The FIT test is simpler to use, requiring two plastic containers with sampling sticks instead of the three cardboard strips used in the old method. Samples are sent by mail to the Croatian Institute of Public Health (HZJZ), where they undergo centralized machine reading. The program aims to test approximately 170,000 citizens annually, processing about 340,000 samples. A positive result indicates hidden blood in the stool and requires a follow-up colonoscopy, but does not constitute a definitive cancer diagnosis.