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(Following Excerpt from American Cancer Society)

Fecal occult blood test: The fecal occult blood test (FOBT) is used to find occult (hidden) blood in feces. Blood vessels at the surface of colorectal adenomas or cancers are often fragile and easily damaged by the passage of feces. The damaged vessels may release enough blood to change the color of the stool. More often, the damaged blood vessels release only a small amount of blood into the feces. This blood does not change the appearance of the stool, but may be detected by the FOBT. If this test is positive, additional testing is needed because colorectal cancer is not the only condition that can cause blood in the stool. A positive test result does not necessarily indicate that a polyp or cancer is present. Other sources of bleeding such as hemorrhoids or diverticulitis, may be present. Blood from meat an individual ate can also cause a false positive test result. More importantly, the FOBT can miss some adenomas and cancers. That is why the ACS does not recommend using the FOBT alone for colorectal cancer screening. People having this test will receive a test kit with instructions that explain how to take a stool or feces sample at home. The kit is then returned to the doctor's office or a medical laboratory for testing.

Campus Resources :

• University Hospital
• UMD Care worksheet triggers
• Department of Gastroenterology
  
• Endoscopy Suite
  
• Studies in progress

For more instant information on this topic please see links below :

• American Cancer Society for page "Colon and Rectum Cancer Resource Center"
• American College of Physicians for page "Screening for Colorectal Cancer with the Fecal Occult Blood Test: A Background Paper"
• US Preventive Services Task Force for page "Screening for Colorectal Cancer"
• NJ Health Wellness Protection Act (HWPA) Tune up lists

This page was create for our staff and students. Its sole purpose is to stimulate thought. It is not meant to replace nor substitute in any way for the care of a physician or appropriate expert.

Webmaster: John W. Norris, III, M.D.

All contents copyright © 1998-2004 John W. Norris, III, MD.  All rights reserved
All information within this site subject to change without notice.

Revised March 16, 2004.