Are you worried about blood in your stool? Let's talk about this test (Fecal Occult Blood Test)

Have you ever been scared when you see a change in the color of your stool or a blood stain when you go to the toilet? Sometimes, there are cases where blood is flowing inside the body without even being visible. Today, we are talking about a special test that checks for blood in the stool that is invisible to our eyes. This is called a 'Fecal Occult Blood Test '. Simply put, it is a test that checks for hidden blood in the stool.

Why is there blood in the stool like this?

There are several reasons why you might have blood in your stool. It's not always a sign of cancer. However, it's a symptom that you shouldn't ignore. Think of it like your digestive system is like a long tube. If there's an injury, infection, or other problem somewhere along this tube, it can cause bleeding.

Let's look at some of the main causes of blood in the stool.

How do you do this test?

This test is very simple. It is designed so that you can do it at home. Your doctor will give you a test kit for this. Or you can get one from some pharmacies.

This kit comes with a clear instruction sheet. You should read it carefully and follow it exactly. It usually also includes a phone number to call if you have any questions.

There are several testing methods:

• One method is to put a special pad or tissue from the kit in the toilet, see if it changes color, and then inform the doctor.
• The other method involves collecting a sample of your stool over a period of more than one day (usually three days). Then, you place the sample in a special container, put it in a provided envelope, and send it to your doctor's office or a lab, where it will be examined with chemicals or under a microscope.

How should you prepare before the test?

This is very important. You don't need to completely cleanse your colon like you would for a colonoscopy. However, you need to follow the instructions exactly to get accurate results.

Do not test in such cases.

If you have any of the following conditions these days, please postpone the test for a while.

• Diarrhea
• Constipation
• If the hemorrhoids become severe and bleed
• On the days of your monthly period
• The doctor diagnosed colitis (If you have an exacerbation of a condition such as colitis or diverticulitis

Stay away from these foods and drinks.

Some foods can cause false positive results. This means that the test may show that you are bleeding even though you are not actually bleeding. Therefore, stop eating these foods 48-72 hours before the test .

• Beetroot
• Broccoli and cauliflower (cauliflower)
• Carrot
• Cucumber
• Jambola
• Mushrooms
• Radish and turnip
• Red meat (especially undercooked meat)
• Fruit drinks or foods with added vitamin C

You may also need to stop taking some medications (e.g. painkillers) for a few days. Be sure to talk to your doctor about this.

What do the test results say?

Okay, now let's look at the results.

If the result is positive...

If the result is positive, it means that there was blood in your stool sample. (At this point, 'positive' is not a good thing!) .

But don't worry. This doesn't mean you have cancer. This means that there is bleeding somewhere inside your body, and we need to find the cause.

Next, your doctor will recommend several more tests to find out exactly where this blood is coming from.

• Colonoscopy: A thin tube with a camera attached is inserted through the rectum to examine the entire large intestine.
• Upper GI Endoscopy: A camera is inserted through the mouth to examine the stomach and the beginning of the small intestine.
• Capsule Endoscopy: Sometimes, if the above two tests don't find the cause, you may be asked to swallow a small camera capsule. It takes pictures as it moves through your intestines, helping to find problems that other tests may not have caught.

If the result is negative...

If the result is negative, it means that there was no blood in your stool sample at the time of the test. This is good news. However, you should continue to have other cancer checks as recommended by your doctor based on your age and risk factors.

How often should this test be done?

Actually, this test is not something that everyone should do. There are other ways to detect colon cancer early. For example, colonoscopy, CT colonography (also called virtual colonoscopy), and tests that look for cancer DNA in stool.

If you decide to have this Fecal Occult Blood Test, it is generally recommended to have it done at least once a year . In addition, depending on your doctor's advice, you may need to have other tests, such as a flexible sigmoidoscopy, every five years.

It's best to talk to your doctor about which testing method is best for you and how often you should have it done.