Checking for blood in stool, also known as a fecal occult blood test (FOBT), is a simple and non-invasive way to test for hidden blood in your stool. Blood in your stool can be a sign of a number of conditions, including colon cancer, hemorrhoids, and inflammatory bowel disease.
FOBTs are an important tool for detecting colon cancer early, when it is most treatable. Colon cancer is the third leading cause of cancer-related deaths in the United States, but it is highly curable if it is found early. FOBTs can also help to detect other conditions, such as hemorrhoids and inflammatory bowel disease.