Screening for bowel cancer

Alternative names:

fecal occult blood home test; stool guaiac home test

Normal values:

A negative test, in which there is no color change, indicates that at the time of the test there was no measurable blood in the stool.

What abnormal results mean:

Generally, a trace of color (not gray or green) that appears in 30 to 60 seconds after the developing solution is added is a positive result. Different tests may have different colors indicating a positive result. The positive result means that blood was present in the stool samples. This does not mean that you have cancer. The blood may be from meat that you have eaten, an inflamed colon, bleeding gums, a polyp, or possibly cancer. Consult the health care provider, however, if the results are positive.