Does a positive faecal occult blood test mean colorectal cancer? What happens next?
A positive result means blood was detected in the stool specimen; it can be caused by other conditions and does not necessarily mean colorectal cancer, and the Programme's primary care doctor arranges another consultation to explain the result and refers the participant to a colonoscopy specialist for a colonoscopy to find the cause of the bleeding (‘Positive result’ page of the Department of Health's Colorectal Cancer Screening Programme, August 2018). Individual cases are decided by the treating doctor.
Does a positive faecal occult blood test mean colorectal cancer?
A positive test result means that blood was detected in the stool specimen submitted; blood in the stool can be caused by other conditions and does not necessarily mean colorectal cancer (‘Positive result’ page of the Department of Health's Colorectal Cancer Screening Programme, August 2018).
A faecal occult blood test can detect tiny amounts of bleeding that cannot be seen with the naked eye; patients with a positive result need further examination, such as a colonoscopy or a barium enema (Cancer Online Resource Hub, April 2026).
What an individual test result means, and which examination comes next, is decided by the treating doctor according to the patient's condition.
After a positive result, what usually happens next?
The Programme's primary care doctor arranges another consultation to explain what the positive result means, and refers the participant to a colonoscopy specialist for a colonoscopy to find the cause of the bleeding (‘Positive result’ page of the Department of Health's Colorectal Cancer Screening Programme, August 2018); participants can choose one of the referral options in the table below.
| Referral option | What the Programme web page says | Fees |
|---|---|---|
| Colonoscopy specialist enrolled in the Programme | The Government subsidises the ‘Standard Package of Colonoscopy Service’ | Depending on the specialist chosen, a co-payment of no more than HK$1,000 may be payable (the arrangement when the web page was revised in August 2018) |
| Private sector | The participant exits the Programme, and the Government does not subsidise this colonoscopy | Paid in full by the participant; for private charges, see Colonoscopy fees compared |
| Hospital Authority clinics | The participant exits the Programme and receives care under the Hospital Authority's usual pathway | Hospital Authority charges apply; see Gastroscopy and colonoscopy: public or private |
What happens after the colonoscopy?
If the colonoscopy result is normal, the doctor may already have explained it on the day of the examination and a separate follow-up visit may not be needed; if the result is not normal, the doctor will arrange a consultation after the examination to explain the details and, depending on the situation, recommend when to have a repeat examination, arrange other care or make a referral (‘After colonoscopy’ page of the Department of Health's Colorectal Cancer Screening Programme, August 2018).
Tissue can be taken for testing during a colonoscopy, and colorectal polyps can also be removed; most polyps are benign, and only a small proportion turn into cancer (Cancer Online Resource Hub, April 2026).
For the English name and meaning of colonoscopy, see Colonoscopy; if colorectal cancer is diagnosed, the steps that follow are in Colorectal cancer: from diagnosis to starting treatment, and the specialties involved are in How to choose a colorectal cancer doctor.
Frequently asked questions
Does a positive faecal occult blood test mean colorectal cancer?
Blood in the stool can be caused by other conditions and does not necessarily mean colorectal cancer; further examination is needed to find the cause of the bleeding (‘Positive result’ page of the Department of Health's Colorectal Cancer Screening Programme, August 2018).
What should I do after a positive faecal occult blood test?
The Programme's primary care doctor arranges another consultation to explain the result and refers the participant to a colonoscopy specialist for a colonoscopy; participants can choose a colonoscopy specialist enrolled in the Programme (government-subsidised), the private sector, or Hospital Authority clinics (‘Positive result’ page of the Department of Health's Colorectal Cancer Screening Programme, August 2018).
If the Screening Programme refers me for a colonoscopy, do I have to pay?
If you choose a colonoscopy specialist enrolled in the Programme, the Government subsidises the Standard Package of Colonoscopy Service, and depending on the specialist chosen a co-payment of no more than HK$1,000 may be payable; referral to the private sector or the Hospital Authority means exiting the Programme (‘Positive result’ page of the Department of Health's Colorectal Cancer Screening Programme, August 2018). Confirm fees with the institution.