Stool guaiac test

Usually, you collect a small sample of stool at home. Sometimes, your health care provider may collect a small amount of stool from you during a rectal examination. If the test is done at home, you will use a test kit. Follow the kit instructions exactly. This ensures accurate results. In brief: You collect a stool…

Some foods can affect test results. Follow instructions about not eating certain foods before the test. These may include: Red meat Cantaloupe Uncooked broccoli Turnip Radish Horseradish Some medicines may interfere with the test. These include vitamin C, aspirin, and NSAIDs such as ibuprofen and naproxen. Ask your…

The at-home test involves a normal bowel movement. There is no discomfort. You may have some discomfort if the stool is collected during a rectal exam.

This test detects blood in the digestive tract. It may be done if: You are being screened or tested for colon cancer . You have abdominal pain, changes in bowel movements, or weight loss. You have anemia (low blood count). You say you have blood in the stool or black, tarry stools.

A negative test result means that there is no blood in the stool. Occasionally, this test will miss very small amounts of blood in the stool that is below the level of detection of this test (false negative).

Abnormal results may be due to problems that cause bleeding in the stomach or intestinal tract, including: Colon cancer or other gastrointestinal tumors Colon polyps Bleeding veins in the esophagus or stomach ( esophageal varices and portal hypertensive gastropathy) Inflammation of the esophagus ( esophagitis )…

There can be false-positive and false-negative results. Errors are reduced when you follow instructions during collection and avoid certain foods and medicines.

National Cancer Institute website. Colorectal cancer prevention (PDQ) - health professional version. www.cancer.gov/types/colorectal/hp/colorectal-prevention-pdq . Updated March 28, 2024. Accessed April 22, 2024. National Comprehensive Cancer Network website. NCCN clinical practice guidelines in oncology (NCCN…