How to view fecal occult blood test results?

This is an automatically translated article.

The article was professionally consulted by Master, Doctor Bui Thi Hong Khang - Pathologist - Laboratory Department - Vinmec Central Park International General Hospital.
Blood in the stool may not be visible to the naked eye when the blood count is very small. That's why a stool blood test helps detect this. So how will the fecal occult blood test results be analyzed?

1. Concept of Faecal Occult Blood Testing (FOBT)

Tumors sometimes bleed and this occult blood can be detected with the FOBT (fecal occult blood test). The FOBT box consists of two tubes containing small rods for sampling. The stick is used to wipe the surface of the stool, or dip it in the stool a few times and then put it in a tube, put it in an envelope and send it to the testing company or take it to the doctor's office or lab. Stick with a bit of stool sample; The testing company will analyze the sample and see if there is hidden blood in the stool. A positive fecal occult blood test result does not mean a diagnosis of bowel cancer, but only that occult blood is present in the stool and requires further examination with a colonoscopy.
Some typical fecal occult blood tests include:
Guaiac fecal occult blood test (gFOBT): This test is provided by your Doctor's office or lab and is ordered performed at home. Place the stool sample on a test card covered with a plant-based substance called guaiac. The card will change color if there is blood in the stool. Then, send the card back to the doctor or lab to read the results. Flushable Reagent Stool Blood Test: Flushable Reagent Stool Blood Test: is a gFOBT that does not use a card but uses a flushable pad. This kit can be purchased at a store without a prescription. Place the pad in the toilet after a bowel movement, usually three days in a row. The pads change color in the presence of blood. Then report the changes to your doctor, usually by email. Immunochemical FOBT or Faecal immunochemical tests (FIT): This test uses a specific protein called an antibody. This antibody will find and attach to hemoglobin, the oxygen carrier located in red blood cells (an immune reaction occurs between antigen and antibody). This immunoassay has several advantages over gFOBT. It does not require any diet prior to sample collection and testing can usually be done on a random stool sample. Immuno-fecal blood tests are also more sensitive than gFOBT.
For accurate results, it is important to return the sample in a timely manner.

2. Results after fecal occult blood test

The doctor will review the results of the stool blood test and then give the results.
Negative result: The fecal occult blood test will be considered negative if blood is not detected in the stool samples. If you've had a screening test for colon cancer and are at average risk - no risk factors for colon cancer other than age, your doctor may recommend waiting a year and then repeated tests.
Positive result: A fecal occult blood test is considered positive if blood is detected in the stool sample. Further testing, such as a colonoscopy, may be needed to locate the source of the bleeding.
The most important thing is to remember that false negatives and false positives are possible. Some cancers and most polyps are non-bleeding, which can lead to a false-negative result. Likewise, bleeding can come from sources other than colon cancer or pseudopolyposis lesions - such as from an ulcer of the stomach, hemorrhoids, or even blood when swallowed from the mouth. or nose.
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