How can you detect blood in your stool at home?

How can you detect blood in your stool at home?

How the Test is Performed

1. Urinate if you need to, then flush the toilet before having a bowel movement.
2. After the bowel movement, place the disposable pad in the toilet.
3. Watch for a change of color on the test area of the pad.
4. Note the results on the card provided, then flush the pad away.

What is an FOBT kit?

WHAT IS A FIT OR FOBT KIT? FIT stands for fecal immunochemical test and FOBT stands for fecal occult blood test. Both tests screen for colon cancer and both work the same. This kit has all of the supplies you need to do the test at home.

How do doctors check for blood in stool?

A fecal occult blood test (FOBT) looks at a sample of your 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.

What does it mean when you test positive for blood in your stool?

If your results are positive for either type of fecal occult blood test, it means you likely have bleeding somewhere in your digestive tract. But it does not necessarily mean you have cancer.

How can I tell if blood is in my stool?

Note the color of the blood in or on your feces. Blood in your stool can come from anywhere along your digestive tract. Black stool usually indicates that the blood is coming from the upper part of the gastrointestinal tract, including the esophagus, stomach and the first part of the small intestine.

What kind of stool do you test for blood?

There are several types of stool tests. The type of stool test used depends on why the test is being done and what the doctor is looking for. A gFOBT (guaiac-based fecal occult blood test) uses a chemical reaction on a paper card to find traces of blood in the stool that you can’t see.

Do I need colonoscopy for blood in stool?

You may have blood in your stool and not know it. So, if you have any signs or symptoms of colorectal cancer or you’re over age 50 (45 if you’re African American), talk to your doctor about getting a colonoscopy. Bloody stool and bloody diarrhea are both signs of colorectal cancer, and therefore they should never be ignored.

What does the stool blood test detect?

The fecal occult blood test (FOBT) is a lab test used to check stool samples for hidden (occult) blood. Occult blood in the stool may indicate colon cancer or polyps in the colon or rectum – though not all cancers or polyps bleed. Typically, occult blood is passed in such small amounts that it can be detected only through the chemicals used in a fecal occult blood test.