OCCULT BLOOD
01 Overview
02 Details
Why Get Tested?
To screen for digestive tract bleeding, which may be an indicator of colon cancer.
When to Get Tested?
Annually, beginning at age 50 as part of a routine examination to screen for colon cancer; as directed by your healthcare provider based on your family medical history.
Sample Required?
Three stool samples are typically collected over several days and prepared on occult blood cards in order to provide for the most effective screening.
Test Preparation Needed?
For the guiac-based FOBT (gFOBT), you will be instructed to avoid certain medications and follow certain dietary restrictions for several days before collecting the stool samples. For the fecal immunochemical test (FIT), there are no dietary or drug restrictions.