How to Use a Colon Test Kit

A colon test kit is used to examine a person's stool to look for signs of colorectal cancer. It is not invasive and can be conducted at home, according to the American Cancer Society. The fecal occult blood test (FOBT) is widely used for finding hidden blood in the stool. The test looks for signs of cancer, but will not easily detect polyps. The kit will give detailed instructions on how to use it, but here are some general guidelines.

Things You'll Need

• Colon test kit
• Test cards
• Brush or wooden applicator
• Plastic wrap or dry container
• Mailing envelope

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Instructions

• 1

  Collect a sample from your bowel movement. Place a sheet of plastic wrap over the toilet or use a dry container to catch the stool. Make sure the stool does not mix with urine.

• 2

  Use the brush or wooden applicator to smear a thin sample of the stool onto a slot in the test card.

• 3

  Collect a specimen from another area of the stool and smear a thin sample onto the other slot in the test card.

• 4

  Close the slots. Put your name and date on the test kit. Store the kit overnight in your envelope.

• 5

  Collect samples from your next two bowel movements. Collecting from multiple bowel movements improves accuracy of the test. Blood vessels near colorectal polyps or cancers are easily damaged with the passage of feces and will often release some blood into the stool. Many cancers do not bleed all of the time, and blood may not be present in all samples, according to the American Cancer Society.

• 6

  Put the test kit in the mailing envelope and return it to your doctor as soon as possible.