2.2 Assessments by the general practitioner

2.2 Assessments by the general practitioner

General practitioner examinations and investigations should include:

  • physical examination
  • digital rectal examination
  • full blood examination and iron studies (Cancer Council Australia Colorectal Guidelines Working Party 2019).

Note: a negative result from an iFOBT does not exclude cancer.

A detailed family history should be obtained from patients presenting with possible symptoms of colorectal cancer.

Test results should be provided to the patient within one week of testing.