The Hämoccult test is a simple procedure for detecting blood in the stool that is not visible to the naked eye. It provides evidence of colorectal polyps and colorectal cancer, as well as gastrointestinal bleeding of unknown cause.
The Hemoccult test is used in colorectal cancer screening for people aged 50 and older. In addition to a digital rectal exam and a colonoscopy, a positive Hemoccult test may indicate the presence of colorectal cancer or colorectal polyps. A Hemoccult test can also be helpful when gastric or intestinal bleeding of unknown cause is suspected.
The Hemoccult test is one of the most important early detection tests for colorectal cancer @ Wolfilser /AdobeStock
The patient receives three test envelopes, into which they place three stool samples. Each envelope contains two test fields, into which the patient places two small stool samples using a spatula. The patient then seals the envelopes and returns them to the doctor’s office. A laboratory subsequently analyzes the samples.
Before and during the Hämoccult test, you should follow these dietary recommendations. Otherwise, the test results may be false positives:
High doses of vitamin C can cause a false-negative test result.
A positive Hämoccult test can reliably detect blood in the stool. However, you should follow the dietary recommendations before and during the test. This will help you avoid false-positive or false-negative test results.
Every physician listed in the Leading Medicine Guide has attained the highest level of training and certification within their respective medical specialty society. Furthermore, we contacted this physician based, among other factors, on their case volume (surgeries, treatments, and therapies), which we determined by cross-referencing various publicly available sources. Following discussions with the selected physicians and the directors of the medical facilities, as well as a subsequent internal review, they were admitted to the Leading Medicine Guide.
The quality assurance of the Leading Medicine Guide is further ensured by 8 admission criteria. Each member must meet at least 6 of them:
