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ColonCancerCheck

Expiry Dates – FOBT Kits

The ColonCancerCheck (CCC) Fecal Occult Blood Test (FOBT) kit, as with most medical devices, has an expiry date. The expiry date is found on the bottom of the FOBT card on the side that says “Do Not Open”.  Kits received by a community laboratory after the expiration date will not be processed.

The first batch of CCC FOBT kits, distributed in 2008, show an expiry date of February 2011.  This means that if one of these kits is received by a community laboratory after the last day of the month (i.e. February, 28, 2011), it will be rejected by the laboratory. 

The second batch of CCC FOBT kits distributed in 2008 have an expiry date of May 2011, and the third batch have an expiry date of July 2011.

Patients who submit an expired kit for processing will be advised by mail from ColonCancerCheck that the kit has expired and that they will need to repeat the test with a valid kit.  Patients will be advised to obtain a replacement kit from their family physician or nurse practitioner, or from Telehealth Ontario or their local pharmacy if they do not have a family physician or nurse practitioner.

What do you need to do?

1. Check your current inventory of FOBT kits to ensure that they are not expired or about to expire.
   The expiry date of your kits should be at least three months away to allow time for the kit to be completed and returned for testing.
2. Dispose of any kits which are expired or will expire in three months or less.
   Kits which expire in February should be disposed of now.  CCC FOBT kits do not contain hazardous materials. You may throw away the kit in your garbage and/or recycle the pieces in the kit as is appropriate for your community.
3. Point out the expiry date to patients when you give them a CCC FOBT kit.
   Ask them to complete the kit at least a month before the kit expires.  Explain that the kit will not be processed if it has expired.
4. Reorder new CCC FOBT kits as needed.
   Order kits through your community laboratory supplier.
5. If a patient informs you that they have an expired kit, please make it as easy as possible for them to get a replacement kit.
   Screening for colorectal cancer can save lives.  Thank you for your assistance!

Frequently Asked Questions about FOBT kit expiry