FeRIC (Fe dEficiency in ColoRectal Cancer): This phase IV trial is trying to determine if giving an iron infusion to iron-deficient colorectal cancer patients who are anaemic versus not anaemic will improve their physical fitness for planned surgeryAn iron infusion with Ferric Carboxymaltose as a technique of improving physiological reserve in iron deficient patients undergoing surgery for colorectal cancer: a randomized control trial

Exclusion

1. Hb (>130mg/dL male, or >120mg/dL female) & (either one of: Ferritin >300mcg/l, or Ferritin >100mcg/l and TSAT >20%)
2. Marked Iron deficiency anaemia precluding randomization: Hb < 110 mg/dL & Ferritin <20 mcg/l
3. Iron therapy contraindicated
4. Treatment with iron therapy or blood transfusion in the previous 12 weeks
5. Presentation for neoadjuvant CRT or Surgery within the study period
6. Patients with a known haematological abnormality (such as haemochromatosis or thalassemia, TSAT >50%)
7. Liver disease where ALT is above 3 times the upper limit of the normal range
8. Patients with a history of acquired iron overload or iron storage disorders
9. Previous hypersensitivity or allergic reactions to parentral (polymaltose/carboxymaltose) iron preparations
10. Patients unable to give informed consent
11. Physical disability preventing CPX, or contraindication in local CPX policy (such as angina at rest)
12. Patients included in other clinical trials that involve the administration of iron therapy
13. Blood transfusion in previous three months