WHY TAKE THE FAECAL OCCULT BLOOD TEST?

The Hemoccult II®BRAND faecal occult blood test (FOBT) is used to test for occult (hidden) blood in your stool.

Bowel cancer has very few, if any, symptoms in its early stages and usually begins with a benign (pre-cancerous) polyp.  If detected sufficiently early, these polyps can be removed and the cancer can be prevented.  Pre-cancerous polyps and cancers bleed and this blood can be detected in the stool.  Bleeding can occur intermittently or be found in only one part of the stool and can be so small in amount as to be hidden (occult).

Hemoccult II®BRAND tests for hidden blood on three different days and in different areas of the stool, greatly increasing the chances of detection.  An FOBT is a non-invasive test which is easily performed in the comfort of your home and it is the most clinically studied and efficient screening method for the detection of bowel polyps and bowel cancer.

WHO SHOULD BE TESTED?

The worldwide recommendation for bowel cancer screening is to start at the age of 45 or 50 years, as more than 9 out of 10 people who get bowel cancer are over this age.

Regular screening tests are also recommended if you have a personal or family history of bowel cancer, adenomatous polyps, or a history of chronic inflammatory bowel disease such as Ulcerative Colitis or Crohn's Disease.

Anyone who wishes to have bowel cancer screening for whatever reason.

WHAT DO THE RESULTS MEAN?

Point Of Care Testing Ltd has selected Hemoccult II®BRAND, which is an accurate and recognised system for detecting faecal occult blood.

A positive result from a faecal occult blood test does not necessarily mean that you have bowel cancer.  However, the presence of occult (hidden) blood in your stool samples does require further investigation.  A positive result may also alert you to other conditions in the bowel which are not cancerous but which may still require treatment and/or further investigation.  On receipt of a positive result it is essential that you see your doctor who will then decide on the appropriate action to take.

A negative result shows that occult (hidden) blood has not been detected in your stool samples.  However, as a negative result does not entirely exclude the presence of gastrointestinal disease, it is important to repeat the test every year which is the normal recommended screening interval.

VISIT YOUR DOCTOR IF YOU HAVE ANY SYMPTOMS OR CONCERNS!