Fecal occult blood test

 

Definition By Mayo Clinic Staff Mayo Clinic in Minnesota has been recognized as the best Gastroenterology & GI Surgery hospital in the nation for 2015-2016 by U.S. News & World Report. Learn more about this top honor Living With Cancer Subscribe to our Living With Cancer e-newsletter to stay up to date on cancer topics. Sign up now The fecal occult blood test (FOBT) is a lab test used to check stool samples for hidden (occult) blood. Occult blood in the stool may indicate colon cancer or polyps in the colon or rectum — though not all cancers or polyps bleed. Typically, occult blood is passed in such small amounts that it can be detected only through the chemicals used in a fecal occult blood test. If blood is detected through a fecal occult blood test, additional tests may be needed to determine the source of the bleeding. The fecal occult blood test can only detect the presence or absence of blood — it doesn't indicate potential sources of bleeding. Why it's done   http://www.mayoclinic.org/tests-procedures/fecal-occult-blood-test/basics/definition/prc-20014429