Hemoccult Test
Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on Jun 5, 2024.
AMBULATORY CARE:
What you need to know about a Hemoccult test:
A Hemoccult test is used to check for blood in your bowel movement. It is also called a fecal blood test or occult blood test. Testing for blood in your bowel movement may be part of your yearly physical exam. An abnormal Hemoccult result may mean you need more tests to check for the following:
- Abnormal growths (polyps) or lesions in the intestine
- Bleeding in your intestines
- Iron deficiency anemia
- Colorectal cancer
- Hemorrhoids or a fissure (tear in the tissue)
- Inflammatory bowel disease or peptic ulcer disease
How to prepare for the test:
Your healthcare provider will talk to you about what to eat and what to avoid before your test. Some foods and medicines can make the results less accurate. The following can help keep your results accurate:
- Eat high-fiber foods, such as cereals or breads with bran, for 2 to 3 days before the test. High-fiber foods will make it easier for you to have a bowel movement.
- Do not eat foods that will make it look like you have blood in your bowel movement. Do not eat red meat, raw broccoli, cauliflower, or turnips.
- Do not take vitamin C supplements for 7 days before the test. Vitamin C can prevent the test from showing blood in your bowel movement.
- Do not take NSAIDs, such as aspirin or ibuprofen, for 7 days before the test. The medicines can make it look like you have blood in your bowel movement when you do not.
How the Hemoccult test is done:
- If you are a woman, wait 3 days after your monthly period has stopped before you get a bowel movement sample. You may need up to 3 separate bowel movement samples for the test.
- Use a plastic container, bag, or bedpan to collect a sample of your bowel movement. Keep your bowel movement separate from your urine. Do not put toilet paper in with the bowel movement. Use the wooden stick to apply 1 or more small smears of bowel movement on the card. Use a sample from a different part of the bowel movement for each smear. Return the card to your healthcare provider or a lab as directed.
What you need to know about your test results:
Your healthcare provider will discuss your test results with you.
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