The fecal occult blood test is a test that is often performed to detect various diseases of the gastrointestinal tract. The fecal occult blood test is primarily a screening test for colorectal cancer in people over 50. What other diseases can be detected by a faecal occult blood test?

Fecal occult bloodis a small amount of blood that does not change the color of the stool or its consistency and is therefore not visible to the naked eye. It can only be detected inlaboratory tests .

Fecal occult blood test - indications

The fecal occult blood testis recommended for all people over 50, as it may be a symptom of colorectal cancer (it should be performed once a year in people with who have had a family history of colorectal cancer). In addition, the test should be performed in the case of suspected diseases of the digestive system, such as stomach cancer, polyps, adenoma, bleeding ulcers, hemorrhoids, intestinal angiodysplasia, bleeding gums or nose (and swallowing blood). Disturbing symptoms may indicate them:

  • bloody or dark tarry stools
  • changing the rhythm of bowel movements
  • stomach pains
  • general weakness
  • weight loss

This test can also be ordered in the case of anemia, as it can answer the question of what is the cause of it.

Fecal occult blood test - how to prepare?

Three days before the test, follow a meat-free diet rich in fiber (but avoid green vegetables). This rule only applies to the guaiacol method. In addition, you should not take supplements with vitamin C and iron. It is also not allowed to reach for alcohol and aspirin, as they may irritate the gastrointestinal tract.

In order to facilitate the bowel movement, do not use laxatives (not only tablets, but also suppositories or laxative enemas, as they may cause minor injuries of the mucosa and slight bleeding). To facilitate bowel movements, it is worth increasing the amount of fluid consumed in the diet.

Contraindications for the test are menstruation (the sample can be returned after a minimum of 3 days from the end of the period), dental treatment (bleeding gums) and bleeding hemorrhoids.

Fecal occult blood test - what is it about?

For blood detectionfaecal occult blood test is performed using the FOB (Faecal Occult Blood) test, which can be performed in two ways:

1. gFOBT (stool guaiac test) - this is the so-called guaiacol method. The objectives of the test are to answer the question of whether there is hemoglobin haem in the stool. You receive three envelopes with three small cardboard spatulas attached. On the front surface of the envelope you open a window revealing 3 or 2 fields. You put stool samples on them taken from different places of the stool. You collect them for three consecutive days (by keeping them in a cool place) and take them all to the laboratory. There, hydrogen peroxide is applied to the filter paper. If there is blood in the stool, the blotting paper will turn blue.

Red meat should not be eaten before doing this test as heme is present in the myoglobin contained in this product.

2. iFOBT (immunochemical fecal occult blood test) - it is the so-called immunochemical method. It is recommended to test at least three stool samples on different days. The purpose of the test is to detect globin in the stool. For this purpose, chemical antibodies that bind to globin are used. This method is more effective than guaiacol as it detects lower blood levels in the stool, but may be false-negative in upper gastrointestinal bleeding.

Fecal Occult Blood Test - Standards

Standards for fecal occult blood testing are 0.5 to 1.5 ml / day

If occult blood is detected in the stool, additional tests - sigmoidoscopy, colonoscopy or double contrast testing - are ordered to find the cause of the bleeding.

A fecal occult blood test to detect colon cancer

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