What is a fecal occult blood test?

Fecal occult blood test is a specific laboratory test used to find blood in the stool. The term occult means hidden. This test is sometimes referred to as a stool test quaiac. A positive test result could be an early cancer indicator of colorectal. That is why many doctors rely on a fecal occult blood test to give them an idea of ​​when further testing may be necessary.

Fecal occult blood testing is easy. Many individuals will be able to perform this test at home with the kit supplied by the doctor. A small stool sample is obtained using a wooden applicator. The stool is blurred to the test card and the card is then sealed and taken back to the doctor's office. The doctor will usually want to get three stool tests Guaiac from three different stool samples.

As soon as the physician receives a sampling card, he uses a sample of the developing agent. If the agent turns blue, it means that blood may be present. It is possible for these tests to detect blood in Small Castky. The fecal occult blood test becomes positive if you have only 2 teaspoons (10 ml) in the feces.

Colorectal cancer is not the only condition that can cause a positive result using a fecal occult blood test. Individuals who have bleeding ulcers or diverticulitis can test positively in the stool. The fecal occult blood test is unable to diagnose cancer. It is only a tool that suggests that a problem may occur.

Before the individual performs a fecal occult blood test, it should avoid accessories of red meat and vitamin C. These two things can sometimes cause false positive result. There are also certain foods that can produce false positive. Beet, carrots and cauliflower are just a few foods that make the test false.

individual should not perform occult blood testing stools, ifD has diarrhea or is on the period. Conversion and hemorrhoids of the flare would also be a reason for testing delay. All these conditions are minor problems, but can produce a small amount of blood in the stool.

Some medicines, such as iron supplement and Bismuth products, can turn stool. Black stools are a sign of bleeding of the upper gastrointestinal. Performing blood testing of stool can help determine whether the black stools are caused by bleeding or medicines.

It is recommended that individuals over 50 years have an annual fecal occult blood test. This should be a routine screening similar to annual paint or mammogram. In most cases, when cancer is detected early, chances are much better for long -term survival.