The fecal occult blood test is a laboratory test used to detect the presence of very small blood in the stool, usually not visible to the naked eye.
Fecal occult blood screening is used to track the presence of intestinal polyps, which are precursor lesions of the colorectal cancer.
The examination is done by collecting a small sample of feces made by the patient, which is then analyzed in the laboratory.
Types of Exam
There are 2 types of blood fecal screening. One of them needs a diet that you should start 3 to 5 days before the exam, while the other does not.
The first is the most used and the diet must be followed strictly. The other type of test specifically traces human blood, so its results are not altered by diet and other factors.
Results
Positive
When the result is positive, it does not necessarily mean that the person is cancer, but allows you to investigate the cause sooner even if it manifests other symptoms. However, it is worth remembering that fecal occult blood is often the first sign of colorectal cancer.
There are still cases of false positives, often resulting from bleeding gums or nose, since the person can swallow blood, menstruation, meat intake and use of certain medications.
Positive results of occult blood in stool should be evaluated by colonoscopy. When the test result is negative, the test should be repeated the following year.
Diet
The foods and other products that should be avoided for those who will perform the stool occult blood test include:
- Red meat, turnip, radish, vitamin C, iron;
- Medications like aspirin and ibuprofen;
- Toothpaste with chlorophyll.
Foods allowed in small quantities:
- Birds and fish;
- Canned;
- Peanut;
- Oats
Foods that can be consumed without restriction:
- Vegetables (lettuce, spinach, watercress, arugula);
- Corn;
- Fruits.
The interpretation of the results of the examination should be evaluated by the doctor who requested it or by a coloproctologist.
Learn more at:
Blood in the stool, what can it be?
Dark stools with blood, what is it?
