It is the same type of test, used differently. True Proactive uses the same type of FIT (faecal immunochemical test) technology used by New Zealand's National Bowel Screening Programme, which is analysed at an accredited New Zealand laboratory. It is not run as part of the national programme, which has its own screening pathway, quality assurance and follow up systems and processes.

The main practical difference is access. True Proactive's FIT is available privately to any adult, with no invitation or GP referral needed. True Proactive also uses a more sensitive positive threshold for its FIT testing, so it is designed to detect smaller traces of blood, giving a better chance of catching something early, with the trade off of more potential false positive results.

No. True Proactive is an independent, privately owned New Zealand service. We use the same type of FIT (faecal immunochemical test) technology used by the National Bowel Screening Programme and process samples at an accredited New Zealand laboratory, but we are not part of the national programme and are not endorsed by or affiliated with Health NZ. True Proactive is designed to sit alongside the public system, giving people access to screening earlier than, or outside, the ages the national programme covers, currently people aged 58 to 74 (reducing to 56 from 30 September 2026).

It uses the same type of FIT (faecal immunochemical test) technology used by the kits the National Bowel Screening Programme posts to people aged 58 to 74 (reducing to 56 from 30 September 2026). The main differences are access and the positive threshold used. True Proactive is available privately to any adult, with no invitation or GP referral needed, and uses a more sensitive positive threshold. It is not part of the national programme (see the FAQ Is this the same type of test the national programme uses? above).

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 of bowel cancer or polyps (i.e. an abnormal tissue growth found in the colon that could develop into cancer over time). You collect a small stool sample at home following the instructions provided, post it to the lab using a prepaid courier envelope, and receive a doctor reviewed test result. It is pain free, non invasive, and only takes around two minutes to complete.

Pharmacy FOB (faecal occult blood) tests use an older guaiac based testing method that reacts to haemoglobin from any source, including red meat and some foods, which can cause false positives and requires dietary restrictions before testing. True Proactive uses a FIT (faecal immunochemical test), which detects only human haemoglobin. That makes it more accurate than a pharmacy FOB test, needs no dietary changes, and is lab processed and doctor reviewed. True Proactive uses the same type of FIT technology used by New Zealand's National Bowel Screening Programme, and is the internationally recommended first line test for population based bowel screening.

A FIT (faecal immunochemical test) test is a simple, non invasive screening test you do at home. It looks for hidden blood in your stool and acts as an indicator of whether further investigation is needed. A colonoscopy is a diagnostic procedure done in a clinic or hospital, where a specialist examines the bowel directly and can remove polyps (i.e. an abnormal tissue growth found in the colon that could develop into cancer over time). FIT is the internationally recommended first line test for population based bowel screening. It helps identify who needs a colonoscopy, and it does not replace one. A positive FIT is usually followed by a colonoscopy.

A colonoscopy is a separate procedure and is not included in the price of a True Proactive test. A positive True Proactive FIT result also does not automatically guarantee a publicly funded colonoscopy, and you may be asked to provide another stool sample through the Government's FIT For Symptomatic pathway before a decision is made about further investigation (see Will I get a free (publicly funded) colonoscopy if my result is positive? below).

True Proactive's FIT test uses a sensitive positive threshold, chosen to detect small traces of blood in the stool that can be an early sign of bowel cancer or advanced polyps (i.e. an abnormal tissue growth found in the colon that could develop into cancer over time). Setting the threshold to be more sensitive means the test is more likely to pick up these small traces, so there is a better chance of catching something early, when it is most treatable.

The trade off is that a more sensitive threshold can also produce more false positives, meaning some people may need a follow up investigation, usually a colonoscopy, even when no cancer or significant polyp is found. For a proactive screening test we think that is a sensible balance. A positive result never means cancer is present, only that a closer look is worthwhile.

FIT (faecal immunochemical test) is one of the most accurate non invasive bowel cancer tests available, and a single test detects the majority of bowel cancers. True Proactive uses a more sensitive positive threshold, which is designed to pick up smaller traces of blood and improve the chance of finding something early, when it is most treatable. The trade off is that it can produce more false positives, so some people may need a follow up investigation even when no cancer or significant polyp is found. A negative result is very reassuring, and because no test is perfect, repeating it each year strengthens that protection over time.

Remember, FIT is a screening test, not a diagnostic one. A positive result means further investigation (usually a colonoscopy) is recommended, not that cancer is present.

Your sample is processed by an accredited New Zealand laboratory using a validated and specialised FIT analyser, and your result is reviewed by a New Zealand registered doctor before it is sent to you. We also have our own quality assurance and follow up systems in place to help ensure results are reliable and that you receive clear guidance on next steps.

True Proactive uses the same type of FIT (faecal immunochemical test) technology used by the National Bowel Screening Programme, and all tests are processed by an accredited New Zealand laboratory. Our FIT test is CE certified, which means it meets recognised European safety, health and performance standards, and your results are reviewed by a New Zealand registered doctor before being sent to you.

No. A FIT (faecal immunochemical test) test is a screening tool, not a diagnostic test. A positive result indicates blood in your stool, which warrants further investigation, typically a colonoscopy arranged through your GP. A negative result is reassuring but does not completely rule out bowel cancer, which is why regular screening over time gives the strongest protection for bowel cancer detection.

No. True Proactive's FIT (faecal immunochemical test) is available directly to you, with no GP referral required. You order online, collect your sample at home, and post it to the lab using the prepaid courier envelope provided. Your results are reviewed by a New Zealand registered doctor, and if your result needs follow up you will receive a doctor reviewed letter informing you of your result and guidance on next steps, including how to discuss your result with your GP.

A single True Proactive FIT (faecal immunochemical test) test is $190 plus shipping (shipping is free on orders over $225). It is a private service and is not publicly funded. Some health insurers may cover screening tests, so it is worth checking with your provider. If you are within the National Bowel Screening Programme age range (58 to 74, reducing to 56 from 30 September 2026), its FIT test is free, and you can contact the programme directly to access or discuss it.

Yes, but the test must be registered in the name and date of birth of the person being tested, because the laboratory uses those details to process the sample. If you are ordering on behalf of another person, please make sure you have their consent to order the test and to have it processed in their name. Results are sent to the contact details provided with the order, so if you are ordering for someone else, please use their details or make sure they are happy for the results to come to you. If in doubt, it is best for each person to place their own order.

Your test kit includes everything you need: a collection device, a prepaid return envelope for your sample to be sent to the lab, and clear step by step instructions. The sample collection process takes around two minutes to complete. You collect a tiny sample from a single bowel motion, seal it, and post it (no refrigeration needed).

No, it is designed to be quick, easy and clean. The test kit includes a stool catcher, medical glove(s) and a simple collection device, and most people complete it in a couple of minutes. There is no bowel preparation, no dietary changes required, and nothing to refrigerate. Clear step by step instructions (and a short video) are provided with your test kit to walk you through the process.

The most common reason a sample cannot be processed by the lab is a missing or incomplete sample tube label, so please write your full name, date of birth and the sample date on the tube before sending. The lab cannot process an unlabelled sample. If a sample cannot be processed, we will contact you and send a replacement kit so you can redo it. Posting your sample promptly after collection also helps ensure a reliable result.

Most test results are returned within about 7 days of the lab receiving your sample (often within 3 to 5 working days). You will receive your test result by secure email, along with a doctor reviewed letter explaining what it means and any recommended next steps.

Annual testing is recommended for most people at average risk. No single test is perfect, but repeating it each year improves the chance of catching anything missed, and evidence shows that more frequent screening lowers bowel cancer deaths over time. If you have a personal or family history of bowel cancer or polyps, speak with your GP, as you may need more frequent screening or surveillance.

Yes. You can subscribe to receive a new test kit automatically every 12 months, so you do not have to remember to reorder. We notify you before each kit is shipped, and you can pause, change or cancel anytime. You are only charged when the next test kit is shipped out to you.

If you receive a positive result, one of our clinicians will contact you to discuss it. This will usually be Dr Clive Price, although another member of our clinical team may contact you if he is unavailable. A positive result means blood was detected in your stool sample. It does not mean you have cancer (blood can come from polyps, haemorrhoids or inflammation). You will receive a doctor reviewed letter informing you of your positive result and guidance on next steps, including how to discuss your result with your GP.

If you have private medical insurance or are able to fund the investigation yourself, we may be able to refer you directly to a private colonoscopy clinic. This can make the process more straightforward and may reduce the need for additional appointments with your GP. Following the colonoscopy, any ongoing care or management will be coordinated through your usual GP.

If you do not have private medical insurance and are unable to fund the investigation yourself, you will need to discuss the result with your GP and try to access further investigation through the public health system.

It is important to be aware that a positive True Proactive FIT result does not automatically guarantee a publicly funded colonoscopy. You may be asked by your GP to provide another stool sample through the Government's FIT For Symptomatic pathway before a decision is made about any further investigation through the public health system.

Not automatically. A positive FIT means further investigation is recommended, usually a colonoscopy. Whether that colonoscopy is publicly funded depends on the public health system's referral criteria, which are based on your symptoms and overall risk. A positive result from a True Proactive FIT test, outside the national bowel screening programme, does not guarantee a publicly funded colonoscopy. If you do not meet the public health system's referral criteria, you may need to arrange and pay for a private colonoscopy. Your GP can advise you on your options, and True Proactive will provide you with a doctor's letter to take to them in respect of your positive test result.

Yes. All results are reviewed by our clinical team, led by Dr Clive Price, a New Zealand registered GP, before they are sent to you. Negative results come with an explanatory email. If a result is positive, one of our clinicians will contact you, usually Dr Clive Price, or another member of the True Proactive clinical team if he is unavailable, with a written letter setting out what the positive result means and how to discuss it with your GP.

Absolutely, and we encourage it. True Proactive's FIT test sits alongside, not instead of, your GP relationship. If your FIT test result is positive or you have any concerns or symptoms, your GP is your first port of call. Think of True Proactive as earlier access to a clinical grade bowel screening tool, and your GP as the person who helps you act on the result.

Yes. Bowel cancer often develops slowly from polyps (i.e. an abnormal tissue growth found in the colon that could develop into cancer over time) that cause no pain and no change in bowel habits. Sometimes the only early sign is microscopic blood in the stool, which a FIT test can detect. That is why screening before symptoms appear is so valuable. Waiting for symptoms can mean the cancer is found at a later, harder to treat stage.

New Zealand's National Bowel Screening Programme currently begins at 58 (reducing to 56 from 30 September 2026) and runs to 74. Risk starts rising well before then, and bowel cancer is increasing in younger adults, so many international guidelines recommend starting screening around 45. True Proactive has no fixed minimum age for its FIT tests. We recommend proactive screening for adults, and it is available to anyone aged 20 and over. Many people choose to start around 40 to 45, and it is worth discussing earlier screening with your GP if you have risk factors such as a family history of bowel cancer. If you have symptoms at any age, see your GP.

Some people are at higher risk, including those with a family history of bowel cancer or polyps (i.e. an abnormal tissue growth found in the colon that could develop into cancer over time), a personal history of polyps or inflammatory bowel disease (Crohn's or ulcerative colitis), increasing age, and lifestyle factors such as smoking, higher alcohol intake, being overweight, and low physical activity. Risk also varies across population groups in New Zealand. If you have a strong family history or ongoing bowel cancer symptoms, talk to your GP. You may qualify for earlier or more frequent investigation.

Yes, that is exactly who True Proactive's FIT (faecal immunochemical test) is for. The National Bowel Screening Programme only covers people aged 58 to 74 (reducing to 56 from 30 September 2026), which leaves two groups without a funded screening option: younger people, and people over 74. Bowel cancer is the leading cause of cancer death in New Zealanders under 50, and rates in younger adults have been rising over the last few decades. Risk also continues to rise with age, so many people over 74 choose to keep screening once they are no longer covered by the programme. True Proactive gives you access to the same type of FIT test used by New Zealand's National Bowel Screening Programme, with no fixed minimum or upper age limit. We recommend proactive screening for adults, and it is available to anyone aged 20 and over. True Proactive's FIT is a screening test for people without symptoms. If you have any bowel symptoms, see your GP.

In New Zealand there are three main routes:

1. National Bowel Screening Programme (for people without symptoms): free FIT screening for people aged 58 to 74 (reducing to 56 from 30 September 2026). Kits are sent automatically every two years. If you are in this age bracket you are already covered, though you may choose to supplement with a private test in the years in between.
2. True Proactive (private, at home screening test, for people without symptoms): a FIT test using the same type of FIT technology used by the national programme, available to any adult (we recommend it from age 20). It costs $190 plus shipping (shipping is free on orders over $225) and requires no GP referral.
3. If you have bowel symptoms: see your GP rather than using a screening test. Under New Zealand's FIT for Symptomatic pathway, your GP can refer you to the hospital, where you may be offered a publicly funded FIT test, or, for higher risk symptoms, a colonoscopy. If you have a strong family history, your GP can also advise whether you qualify for colonoscopy surveillance.

True Proactive is a screening test for people with no bowel symptoms. You should see your GP rather than ordering a screening test from True Proactive if you have symptoms such as rectal bleeding, a persistent change in bowel habit, unexplained weight loss or abdominal pain, have a personal history of bowel cancer or polyps (you may already be on a surveillance programme), have a strong family history of bowel cancer (you may qualify for colonoscopy surveillance), or are pregnant (for some test types). If you have symptoms, ask your GP about New Zealand's FIT for Symptomatic pathway, which may provide a publicly funded FIT test or colonoscopy through the hospital system.

Unlike older faecal occult blood tests, in general medications do not interfere with FIT testing and will not cause a positive result. Iron tablets will not interfere with FIT tests. Some medicines, such as blood thinners, may increase the likelihood of bleeding and therefore make a positive FIT result more likely. However, they do not cause a positive result on their own. Taking medication should not usually prevent someone from completing a FIT test, although interpreting the result can sometimes be more complex, so we recommend discussing testing with your GP beforehand if you are taking blood thinning medication.

Some health conditions, such as active inflammatory bowel disease (Crohn's disease or ulcerative colitis), haemorrhoids, anal fissures, and menstruation, can also affect results. If you are unsure whether testing is right for you, speak with your GP before ordering.

If you have any of these, see your GP, do not wait for a screening test: blood in your stool or rectal bleeding (bright red or dark or tarry), a persistent change in bowel habits lasting more than a few weeks, unexplained abdominal pain, cramping or bloating, a feeling that your bowel does not empty completely, and unexplained weight loss or fatigue. These do not necessarily mean cancer, but they always warrant a check.

Your FIT (faecal immunochemical test) results are strictly confidential, and are only sent to the email address you provide with your order. Your results are reviewed by a doctor and sent directly to you, not to your GP, employer, insurer or ACC, unless you choose to share them with any third parties. Your health information is stored securely and never shared with advertising partners. Our Privacy Policy complies with the New Zealand Privacy Act 2020 and the Health Information Privacy Code.

Yes. True Proactive (True Proactive Health Limited) is a New Zealand registered company, founded by Dr Clive Price, a UK trained GP with over 12 years' experience who now practises in New Zealand and leads the clinical team that reviews all True Proactive test results. Our mission is to make reliable, proactive health screening easier for New Zealanders to access.

Bowel cancer found at an early stage has a 5 year survival rate that can reach more than 90%. Once it reaches stage 4, that survival rate can fall to as low as 14% (source: Bowel Cancer NZ). The difference is largely explained by when it is found, which is why screening before symptoms appear matters so much. Bowel cancer is also New Zealand's leading cause of cancer death in people under 50.