A fecal occult blood test (FOBT) is a home testing kit used to detect hidden blood in the stool. Fecal refers to stool, while occult means hidden. This non-invasive test can be purchased at a local pharmacy and can be administered in the privacy of your own home. FOBT kits differ in method and accuracy:

Newer FOBT kits:
Newer FOBT kits (also called immuno-chemical tests) require you to dip a brush into the toilet after having a bowel movement and send the sample to a medical lab. This method is more reliable than older style FOBT tests and does not require any dietary restrictions. This type of FOBT is more accurate than older style FOBTs. These tests cost approximately $25 - $50.

Older-style FOBT kits:
Older-style FOBT kits (also called guaiac tests) require you to smear a stool sample on a card(s) and send it to a medical lab to detect for the presence of blood. This type of test has dietary restrictions for meat, Vitamin C, aspirin, or other medications or foods in days prior to the test. These older-style FOBT tests are less accurate than desirable for a reliable screening, as there are many falsely positive results. The cost range for the older-style FOBT is $5 - $10.

Blood in the stool is one possible sign of colorectal cancer, but it can also be a sign of other conditions. If you receive a positive FOBT result, this indicates that hidden blood was detected in the stool. This does not necessarily mean you have colorectal or any other type of cancer. Rather, a positive FOBT test indicates the need for you to undergo further testing to verify the results