What is fecal occult blood?
Fecal occult blood is blood in your feces that you cannot see in your stool or on your toilet paper after you use the toilet. What type of test is this?This is a qualitative test — you find out whether or not you have occult blood in your feces, not how much is present. Why should you do this test? You should do this test, because blood in your feces may be an early sign of a digestive condition, for example abnormal growths (polyps) or cancer in your colon. How often should you test for fecal occult blood? The American Cancer Society recommends that you test for fecal occult blood every year after you turn 50. Some doctors suggest that you start testing at age 40, if your family is thought to be at increased risk. Follow your doctor’s recommendations about how often you test for fecal occult blood. How accurate is this test? This test is about as accurate as the test your doctor uses, but you must follow the directions carefully. For accurate results, you must prepare properly for th
