Blood in your stool can be a sign of hemorrhoids, colon polyps, abnormal growths in the digestive tract, anal fissures, ulcers, Crohn’s disease, ulcerative colitis, diverticulitis, colon cancer and various intestinal infections. Sutter Health network doctors offer a variety of tests, called fecal occult blood tests, to detect particles of blood in your stool that may be invisible to the naked eye and help diagnose the cause.
We offer the full range of fecal occult blood tests. In each case, follow the instructions on the kit given by your physician.
- Flushable Reagent Stool Blood Tests — A test performed at home using disposable pads that can be purchased at any drug store.
- Stool Guaiac Tests — These tests usually involve collecting a stool sample from three different bowel movements.
- Fecal Immunochemical Test (FIT) — A popular colon cancer screening test that detects blood from the lower intestines.
Our experts recommend having a fecal occult blood test every one to three years starting at age 50. Talk to your doctor about your risks for colon cancer and your individual testing schedule.