Specimen Requirements

Specimen Type: Stool

Container/Tube: Stool Collection Card

Specimen Volume: Entire stool specimen or 1 FOB Card

Collection Instructions:

1. Patient should not receive vitamin C (ascorbic acid) for 3 days prior to occult blood testing.
2. A high-bulk, meat-free diet with restriction of peroxidase-rich vegetables has been recommended for 72 hours prior to testing to decrease the incidence of false positives.
3. Avoid aspirin and other nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs 7 days prior to and during the testing period.
4. Fecal specimens should not be collected if hematuria or obvious rectal bleeding from hemorrhoids is present.
5. Premenopausal females should avoid collecting fecal specimen during or in the first 3 days after a menstrual period.