How do I prepare for my FOBT Test?

A faecal occult blood test, or FOBT, checks for tiny traces of blood in your stool that aren't visible to the naked eye. It's a simple test you collect at home, and there's very little you need to do to prepare.

Do I need to do anything special beforehand?

No. There's no fasting, and no dietary restrictions. Keep eating as you normally would, and aim for a well-balanced diet with plenty of fruit, vegetables, and cereals in the lead-up to your collection.

You don't need to stop any of your usual medications for this test. If you take blood thinners or have any questions about your medications, message your Care team and we'll check for you.

When to wait before collecting

Don't collect a sample during your period, or within 3 days of it finishing. Blood from menstruation can affect your results, so it's worth waiting until you're clear.

What you'll need

Your kit includes three collection tubes, one for each sample. These tubes contain a preservative that keeps any blood in the sample stable until it reaches the laboratory.

Use only the tubes provided. Samples collected in any other container can't be tested, and you'd need to start again.