Blood in the stool

This screening is conducted as part of the regular annual health check-up for early detection of colorectal cancer.

Seven days before the test, it is recommended to avoid taking medications that may cause bleeding in the gastrointestinal tract and the presence of blood in the stool (such as aspirin, indomethacin, phenylbutazone, reserpine, corticosteroids, etc.). The test should be postponed in the case of diarrhea, menstruation, hemorrhoid bleeding, or hematuria (the presence of blood in the urine).

The testing procedure consists of two phases performed by the patient and the healthcare (laboratory) staff. The first phase is carried out by the patient at home by correctly collecting stool samples. It is necessary to take two small samples from different parts of the surface of three consecutive stools and place them in the appropriate containers (e.g., stool sample I in container I, stool sample II in container II, stool sample III in container III). The containers should be labeled with the patient’s name and surname. Store the containers with the stool samples in the refrigerator (for up to 5 days) and deliver them to the laboratory immediately after collecting the third stool sample.

The results are ready the same day.