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A member asked:
Is the occult blood stool sample an accurate method for testing for colon cancer and where can i get info?
10 doctors weighed in across 3 answers
Not accurate: First of all you have to use the most sensitive reagen- guaiac based. If you just do it once- the sensitivity to find blood in the stool is only 10-25%. If you use it three times as recommended- the sensitivity will go up to around 80-90%. The specificity/accuracy of the test is low- as many other conditions can cause blood in the stool. Colonoscopy is more sensitive and more specific/accurate.
Answered 4/15/2012
5.9k views
Your doctor: Stool for occult blood is a simple test , could be in your doctor's office as a quick inexpensive screening test for colon cancer, however most accurate test for colon cancer is colonoscopy. Information available from your local hospital to american cancer society office and it is free.
Answered 5/16/2012
5.9k views
Your doctor: Fecal occult blood test (fobt) is a screening test for blood in stool and not specific for any diagnosis. Positive fobt test is usually followed by a colonoscopy. Fobt is neither sensitive nor specific for colon cancer. You should discuss your need for colon cancer prophylaxis with your doctor and s/he may recommend colonoscopy.
Answered 10/3/2016
5.9k views
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People also searched for:
I have severe constipation and sometimes get blood and yesterday the stool was thin and then thick could this be colon cancer and the blood is on the tissue and is only with the constipation and 2 times it was in the stool is this bad diet or cancer ?
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