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An easy first step in detecting colon cancer
Screening for colon cancer can begin at home, as simply as placing a test pad in your toilet bowl when you have a bowel movement. The pad turns blue-green if it detects occult blood ("occult" means small traces that you'd never notice without a test). If this color change occurs, you should see a doctor for a thorough exam. A positive reading doesn't necessarily mean cancer: occult blood can also come from hemorrhoids, ulcers, and other gastrointestinal problems. However, the long term survival rate for colon cancer victims is 91% if found early. For those with a family history of the disease, or other risk factors, using a fecal occult blood testing kit can help provide peace of mind or a red flag to early detection.
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Blood in Feces Can Be a Serious Symptom
Fecal occult blood tests (FOBT) detect "occult" or "hidden" blood in the feces. Though FOBTs are often used as a diagnostic test for bowel, rectal, or colon cancer, blood in the feces can be the result of bleeding that is occurring at any point of the digestive tract, from the esophagus to the anus. These tests are not meant for self-diagnosis of a particular disease. Further diagnostic tests must follow a positive FOBT so contact your healthcare provider immediately if you get a positive result.
There are many steps involved in a FOBT. There is much room for error and you must perform all three tests. Fecal occult blood tests are also based on the assumption that any cancerous lesion or tumor is bleeding. If the lesions are not bleeding at the time of the test, the test will not pick it up. It is best to consult your healthcare provider if you have any doubts about the accuracy of your test results.
How to Choose a Fecal Occult Blood Test
- Consult your healthcare provider and your pharmacist about where you might be able to purchase a FOBT.
- Consult your pharmacist or doctor on which test they prefer and consider the varying complexity of each test.
- There are not many at-home FOBTs on the market.
- Your choices will be limited and pricing will not be very competitive.
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Check Your Test Before You Use It
- Check the expiration date on the box. Outdated tests may not work properly.
- Follow storage information. Excesses of temperature, such as a hot trunk or a sunny window, may affect the integrity of the chemicals essential for the accuracy of the test.
- Always follow the timing instructions appropriate to each particular product. Products vary in their timing methods, so with each new test, familiarize yourself with the timing required before starting the test.
- Not waiting long enough, or waiting too long, can affect the accuracy of your results. Adhere strictly to the timing directions.
Diet and Drugs Can Affect the Test Results
- Cleaning products can interfere with test results. In order to clear the bowl of cleaning product residue, be sure to flush the toilet at least three times before the test.
- Some tests present dietary restrictions for the two to three days prior to the test.
- The test does not distinguish between animal and human blood, so avoid eating red meat.
- Avoid eating large amounts of broccoli, horseradish, turnips, cucumbers, grapefruits, cauliflowers, or artichokes. They can produce false positive results.
- For some tests, an excess of 250 mg of vitamin C per day can produce false negative results.
- Certain medications that cause gastritis can also produce false positive results, including but not restricted to:
- Aspirin
- Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs
- Steroids
- Reserpine.
- Avoid taking the above medications for two to three days before the test. Always consult a physician before discontinuing the use of medication.
- The test should not be performed during times of known bleeding, such as:
- Hemorrhoidal bleeding
- Menstrual bleeding
- For best results, increase your intake of dietary fiber several days before the test. Roughage can more easily pick up blood from lesions as it moves through the gastrointestinal system, producing more accurate results.
- Cancerous lesions often bleed erratically. Therefore it is essential that you perform tests on at least three consecutive bowel movements.
Testing for Blood in Your Feces
- Some tests provide extra pads for water-quality checks.
- Float pads for water-quality checks before bowel movement.
- If a water-quality test produces a positive result, use another toilet bowl.
- Immediately after a bowel movement, float the test pad, printed side up, in the toilet bowl.
- The wait time for results can vary from 15 seconds to up to two minutes. Check the package for specific instructions.
- Even if the first two tests are negative, perform the third.
Testing the Effectiveness of the Test
- If the test has control patches, make sure these are working properly. If not, repeat the test after the next bowel movement.
- Follow these directions if the test has a positive control chemical package to be used in the event of three negative results (in order to test the accuracy of the pads themselves):
- Flush the toilet.
- Empty the chemical package into the bowl.
- Float a test pad printed side up.
- If a cross appears on the pad, then the tests are working properly.
- If not, the tests are not working properly.
Positive Results Are Serious
- This is just a screening method; if results are positive, see a physician to diagnose the problem.
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Medical Attention May Be Indicated
- Fecal occult blood tests screen for blood in the feces, not for particular diseases. Bleeding can occur at almost any point in the gastrointestinal tract. Consult your doctor immediately if you produce any positive results. These tests are not meant for self-diagnosis of a particular disease.
- If you have suspicions that something is not right with your health, yet your test results are negative, go ahead and get medical attention.
- Used tests should be considered biohazardous. Dipose of used tests appropriately.
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Websites, Organizations & Manufacturers
Sources & Further Reading
Books
- 1. American Medical Association.The American Medical Association: Guide to your family's symptoms. Washington, D.C.: American Pharmaceutical Association 1992.
- 2. American Medical Association.The American Medical Association: Family Medical Guide. 3rd Ed. New York: Random House 1994.
- 3. Fauci, Anthony S. et al. Eds. Harrison's Principles of Internal Medicine, 14th ed. New York: MacGraw Hill 1998.
- 4. Segen, Joseph, and Joseph Stauffer.The Patient's Guide to Medical Tests: Everything you need to know about the tests your doctor prescribes. New York: Facts on File 1998.
- 5. Zaret, Barry L. Et al. The Yale University School of Medicine Patient's Guide to Medical Tests. New York: Houghton Mifflin 1997.
Find more books on health and wellness at  barnesandnoble.com.
Articles
- 1. Tien, Linda."For many, home is where the test is, but not all tests are created equal". Star Tribune; 8/13/1995.
- 2. MacDonald, Sue."Testing your health at home". Gannett News Service; 8/8/1996.
- 3. Unger, Michael."New Drug Hastens 2 Cancer's Diagnosis. Newsday; 1/12/1993.
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