The haemoccult test is a simple procedure to detect blood in the stool that cannot be seen with the naked eye. It provides indications of intestinal polyps and intestinal cancer as well as stomach or intestinal bleeding of unknown cause.
The haemoccult test is used for bowel cancer screening from the age of 50. In addition to a palpation of the rectum and a colonoscopy, a positive haemoccult test provides possible indications of bowel cancer and bowel polyps. However, a haemoccult test can also be carried out in cases of suspected stomach or intestinal bleeding of unknown cause.
The patient is given three test strips in which three consecutive stool samples are placed. Each stool sample envelope contains two test fields into which two small stool samples are placed with the help of a spatula. The test strips are then sealed and returned to the practice for analysis in a laboratory.
The following dietary recommendations should be observed before and during a haemocult test, as otherwise the test results may be false positive:
Doses of vitamin C can cause a false negative test result.
A positive hemoccult test can reliably detect blood in the stool. However, attention should be paid to dietary recommendations before and during the test in order to avoid false positive or false negative test results as far as possible.
The Leading Medicine Guide's quality assurance is ensured by the following acceptance prerequisites.
