A stool test with occult blood looks at a sample of patient’s stool (feces) to check for blood. Occult blood means that you can't see it with the naked eye. Blood in the stool means there is likely some kind of bleeding in the digestive tract. It may be caused by a variety of conditions, including:
Polyps
Hemorrhoids
Diverticulosis
Ulcers
Colitis, a type of inflammatory bowel disease
Blood in the stool may also be a sign of colorectal cancer, a type of cancer that starts in the colon or rectum. Colorectal cancer is the second leading cause of cancer-related deaths in the United States and the third most common cancer in men and in women. A fecal occult blood test is a screening test that may help find colorectal cancer early, when treatment is most effective.
What does my abnormal result mean?
The fecal occult blood test (FOBT) can detect very small amounts of blood in your stool that may be caused by colorectal cancer. An abnormal FOBT result does not necessarily mean that you have colorectal cancer, but additional testing with a colonoscopy is needed to find out why there is blood in your stool.
What is a colonoscopy?
A colonoscopy is a procedure done by a doctor who uses a long, flexible tube with a tiny camera on the end to look at the lining of your rectum and colon. During the colonoscopy, the doctor can also take biopsies or remove abnormal growths.
It is recommended that people get regular screening for colorectal cancer starting at age 50. The
screening may be a fecal occult test, a colonoscopy, or another test. Talk with your health care provider
about which test is right for you.
If you choose a fecal occult blood test, you need to get it every year. If you have a colonoscopy, you only
need it every ten years. But it is a more invasive procedure. You may need screening more often if you
have certain risk factors. These include
? A family history of colorectal cancer
? Cigarette smoking
? Obesity
? Excessive alcohol use
It is recommended that people get regular screening for colorectal cancer starting at age 50. The screening may be a fecal occult test, a colonoscopy, or another test. Talk with your health care provider about which test is right for you.
If you choose a fecal occult blood test, you need to get it every year. If you have a colonoscopy, you only need it every ten years. But it is a more invasive procedure. You may need screening more often if you have certain risk factors. These include
- A family history of colorectal cancer
- Cigarette smoking
- Obesity
- Excessive alcohol use
