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What Causes Blood In Stool?
Question: I submitted a stool sample in lieu of a colonoscopy and the sample came back positive for blood. I have a colonoscopy scheduled for early September but was wondering what are the possibilities other than colon cancer that I might be looking at. I have had burning and itching a few times in the past.
Brief Answer:
Detailed below.
Detailed Answer:
Hello!
Thank you for the query.
The FOBT (fecal occult blood test) result depends of the used method. If it was enzymatic FOBT (called gFOBT), the reasons of positive result can be some products in the diet like meat (it is necessary to do not eat meat 3 days before this test).
If it was immunologic FOBT (iFOBT), apart from colon cancer, the reason of blood in stool can be hemorrhoids or large intestine polyps. Burning and itching are the symptoms of hemorrhoids as well. So it is possible that you have hemorrhoids only. But the colonoscopy needs to be done.
Hope this will help. Feel free to ask further questions.
Regards.
Detailed below.
Detailed Answer:
Hello!
Thank you for the query.
The FOBT (fecal occult blood test) result depends of the used method. If it was enzymatic FOBT (called gFOBT), the reasons of positive result can be some products in the diet like meat (it is necessary to do not eat meat 3 days before this test).
If it was immunologic FOBT (iFOBT), apart from colon cancer, the reason of blood in stool can be hemorrhoids or large intestine polyps. Burning and itching are the symptoms of hemorrhoids as well. So it is possible that you have hemorrhoids only. But the colonoscopy needs to be done.
Hope this will help. Feel free to ask further questions.
Regards.
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Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
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