The Hemoccult test is used as a tool in the diagnosis of colorectal cancer in the privacy of the patient's home with test kit supplied by a doctor or path lab.

WHY IS HEMOCCULT TEST DONE? 

The Test detects the presence of blood in stool that can’t be seen with a naked eye, which can be a sign of polyps present in the colon.Those large polyps present in colon are fragile and can be damaged by the movement of stool causing them to bleed into the intestine.The blood then passes with the stool, often undetected with the naked eye. 

This test is recommended every year after an individual turns 50 or if runs an increased risk for colorectal cancer in a family history. This test is not always meant to be accurate though. 

HOW THE HEMOCCULT TEST IS DONE? 

The Hemoccult test kit has to be used at home with doctor’s instructions which typically contains:

1. test kit 
2. test cards
3. wooden brush or applicator
4. addressed mailing envelope

The patient shall need to collect samples from three separate bowel movements, spaced as closely together as nearly possible.Typically, done on 03 consecutive days.

Guidelines for hemoccult test sample collection are usually as follows:

• The stool sample should be collected in a clean and sterile container uncontaminated with urine, water or menstrual blood
• The provided applicator stick could be used to smear a thin sample of stool onto the designated area on the test card and allowed to dry
• Once all three samples are collected, they could be sent to the laboratory for  testing

IMPORTANT INFORMATION 

• patient is advised to not collect a sample in case of visible blood traces in urine or stool (menstrual period, urinary tract infection or hemorrhoids). seek doctor’s advice
•  week prior and during the duration of the test, the patient is advised to not take aspirin
• (more than one adult aspirin a day), ibuprofen, etc. seek doctor’s advice. 
• 3 days’ before and during the test period, try avoiding : vitamin supplements or the processed meats
• possibly avoid eating raw turnips, radishes, broccoli, and horseradish
• make sure to eat well cooked vegetables or fruits and consume a high-fiber diet 

INTERPRETATION

A positive result means the presence of  occult blood in the stool which necessarily might not  mean that a patient suffers from colorectal cancer. A colonoscopy needs to follow. 

While a negative result would mean that no blood has been detected in the stool. In case, there are no additional risks for developing colorectal cancer other than age, the doctor will recommend that the test be repeated the following year.

Lastly, this test can’t detect all form of cancers. Some Cancers can only be detected through Colonoscopy.