Yes. Truescreen uses the same faecal immunochemical test (FIT) and accredited New Zealand laboratories as the National Bowel Screening Programme. The difference is access: the national programme currently starts at age 58, whereas Truescreen lets you screen from age 40, when the risk is rising but the programme doesn't yet apply to you.

A FIT (faecal immunochemical test) detects tiny traces of blood in your stool that are invisible to the naked eye. This can be an early warning sign for bowel cancer or polyps. You collect a small sample at home, post it to a lab, and receive a doctor-reviewed result. It's pain-free, non-invasive, and takes around two minutes.

Pharmacy FOB (faecal occult blood) tests use an older guaiac-based method that reacts to blood from any source, including red meat, some fruits, and certain medications. This can lead to false positives. Truescreen uses a FIT (faecal immunochemical test), which detects only human haemoglobin. This makes it significantly more accurate, requires no dietary restrictions before testing, and is the standard used in New Zealand's national screening programme.

A positive FIT result means blood was detected in your stool. It does not mean you have cancer. Blood can have several causes, including polyps, haemorrhoids, or inflammation. You will receive a phone call from Dr. Clive Price who will discuss your results with you. Your result will also include a letter from Dr. Price advising how to speak with your GP about your results (recommend this is done promptly). Your GP will likely refer you for a colonoscopy to investigate further (though this will depend on your GP). Early investigation is the goal. Most positive results do not turn out to be cancer, but acting quickly makes all the difference if they do.

Annual testing is recommended for most people at average risk. No single FIT test is perfect. However, repeating it each year progressively improves your chances of catching anything that may have been missed. Research shows annual screening reduces bowel cancer deaths by 33%, compared to 21% for every-two-years testing.

If you have a personal or family history of bowel cancer or polyps, speak with your GP as you may need more frequent screening.

Most results are returned within 3–5 working days of the lab receiving your sample. You'll receive your result via secure email, along with a doctor-reviewed letter explaining what your result means and any recommended next steps.

In New Zealand, there are currently two main routes:

1. National Bowel Screening Programme: Free FIT screening for people aged 58–74. Kits are sent automatically every two years. If you fall in this age bracket, you're already covered. However, you may choose to supplement with a private test for the years in between. See below.

2. Truescreen (private, at-home): A FIT test using the same methodology and labs as the national programme, available to everyone (recommended for everyone 40+). Costs $195 and requires no GP referral. Suitable for health-conscious adults who want earlier access to screening.

If you have symptoms or elevated family risk, your GP can refer you directly for colonoscopy — this is the most thorough screening tool available.

It's simpler than it sounds. Your Truescreen kit includes everything you need: a collection card, a small sampling probe, a prepaid return envelope, and clear step-by-step instructions. The whole process takes around two minutes. You collect a tiny sample from a single stool, seal the card in the envelope, and post it (no refrigeration required). Learn more on our "how it works" page.

Your results are strictly confidential. They are reviewed by a doctor and sent directly to you, not to your GP, employer, insurer, or ACC. Your health information is stored securely and never shared with advertising partners. Full details are in our Privacy Policy, which complies with the New Zealand Privacy Act 2020 and the Health Information Privacy Code.

No. Truescreen is available directly to you, with no GP referral required. You order online, collect your sample at home, and post it to the lab. If your result requires follow-up, we'll advise you to contact your GP, but getting screened in the first place is entirely on your own terms.

Yes, that's exactly who Truescreen is designed for. New Zealand's National Bowel Screening Programme only covers people aged 58–74. But bowel cancer rates in people under 50 have been rising by around 26% per decade (University of Otago / BMC Cancer, 2024), and it's the leading cause of cancer death in New Zealanders under 50. Truescreen gives you access to the same gold-standard test from age 40.

No. A FIT test is a screening tool, not a diagnostic test. A positive result indicates the presence of blood in your stool, which warrants further investigation, typically a colonoscopy ordered by your GP. A negative result is reassuring but does not rule out bowel cancer entirely. Regular screening over time provides the strongest protection.

If you experience any of the following, see your GP. Do not wait for a screening test:

1. Blood in your stool or rectal bleeding that is bright red or dark/tarry
2. A persistent change in bowel habits lasting more than a few weeks (more frequent, looser, or narrower stools)
3. Unexplained abdominal pain, cramping, or bloating
4. A feeling that your bowel doesn't empty completely after going to the toilet
5. Unexplained weight loss or fatigue

These symptoms don't necessarily mean cancer, but they always warrant investigation. Bowel cancer caught at stage 1 has a 90% survival rate. Caught at stage 4, that falls to 14%.

Some factors can influence FIT accuracy and are worth being aware of before you test:

Medications: Aspirin, ibuprofen, naproxen, and other NSAIDs can cause minor gut bleeding and may produce a false positive. Blood thinners (warfarin, dabigatran) carry a similar risk. Iron supplements can occasionally affect results.

For PSA testing specifically: 5-alpha reductase inhibitors, finasteride (Proscar, Propecia) and dutasteride (Avodart), lower PSA levels artificially, typically by around 50%. This can mask an elevated PSA reading. If you're taking either medication, let your GP know when interpreting your result.

Conditions: Active gastrointestinal conditions (Crohn's disease, ulcerative colitis, haemorrhoids, anal fissures) can cause bleeding unrelated to cancer and may produce a positive FIT result. Menstruation can also affect results — we recommend testing at a different time in your cycle.

If you're unsure whether your medications or health conditions affect your suitability for testing, speak with your GP before ordering.

Absolutely, and we encourage it. Truescreen sits alongside, not instead of, your regular GP relationship. If your result is positive or you have any concerns, your GP is your first port of call. Think of Truescreen as giving you earlier access to a clinical-grade tool, and your GP as the person who helps you act on the result.

Truescreen screening tests are not appropriate for everyone. You should speak with your GP before ordering if:

• You have symptoms such as rectal bleeding, unexplained weight loss, persistent changes in bowel habits, or abdominal pain, you need a clinical assessment, not a screening test.
• You have a personal history of bowel cancer or bowel polyps — you may already be on a surveillance programme.
• You have a strong family history of bowel cancer (two or more first-degree relatives, or diagnosis before age 50) — you may qualify for colonoscopy surveillance rather than FIT screening.
• You are already enrolled in the National Bowel Screening Programme.
• You are pregnant (for some test types).

Screening is for people with no symptoms and no elevated clinical risk requiring direct GP management.

Bowel cancer detected at stage 1 has a 90% survival rate. Detected at stage 4 (when it has spread), that falls to 14%. The difference is almost entirely explained by when it's found. Bowel cancer is also New Zealand's leading cause of cancer death in people under 50, and cases in under-50s have been rising by around 26% per decade. Screening before you have symptoms is the most powerful thing you can do.