Bleeding in the digestive system can have various causes — from harmless ones, such as irritated mucosa, to serious conditions such as cancer.
Sometimes, very small amounts of blood may be present in the stool that are not visible to the naked eye and do not affect its color. This occult bleeding can be detected using specialized laboratory tests.
Highly Sensitive FIT Test
Detecting such small traces of blood can be an early indicator of serious changes in the digestive system. This is especially important to highlight in March, Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month.
At the laboratory of the International Medical Center Priora, a highly specific and sensitive FIT test is used — a Fecal Immunochemical Test for the quantitative determination of hemoglobin (blood) in a stool sample. The analysis is performed using the OC-Sensor Ceres device.
FIT is used as a screening test for suspected colorectal cancer in individuals who have no symptoms. It is a type of fecal occult blood test, which is the medical term for hidden bleeding. Occult blood in the stool may be a sign of cancer or polyps in the colon or rectum. Polyps are noncancerous growths that can become cancerous over time. If this immunochemical test is positive for hemoglobin in the stool sample, a colonoscopy is usually required to identify the source of bleeding,” explains Professor Vatroslav Šerić, PhD, specialist in medical biochemistry and Head of Laboratory at IMC Priora.
Prof. Šerić: The Sample Can Also Be Sent by Mail
The stool sample is placed in a special plastic container, as shown in the images in this text. Using the probe attached to the container cap, patients collect a small sample from the stool surface and place it into the container. The tightly closed container can be delivered in person or sent by mail to Priora. It is important to deliver the sample to the laboratory as soon as possible. The result is available on the same day the sample is received.
“The container, as well as instructions for sample collection, can be obtained in our laboratory or at our Gastroenterology Clinic,” he adds.
Patients often ask whether a special diet is required before the sample is collected.
“No special dietary measures are necessary, as the test is not affected by substances from food. However, seven days before the test, it is not recommended to take medications that may cause bleeding in the digestive tract and consequently lead to the presence of blood in the stool,” emphasizes Professor Šerić.
The FIT test is a simple and fast way to detect changes that can save lives. It is important to remember that colorectal cancer is curable in 95 percent of cases if detected early.
For more information on colorectal cancer prevention and to schedule an appointment, feel free to contact us.
