How is the Test® performed?

A Test® usually consists of three test letters, which are handed out in the doctor’s office. These letters should be treated equally on three consecutive days. On the first day, a small stool sample is taken with an enclosed spatula and placed on the test letter. On the second and third day, the procedure is repeated so that at the end of the day you receive test letters from three different days. Afterwards, the letters are brought back to the doctor’s office, where the test result of each day can be read on the Tests®.

Can I do a Test® myself?

The-Test® can be carried out by a doctor or independently. You can also do the test yourself for the annual check-up. For this purpose, the doctor will often provide you with a test set to take home, in which you can collect a stool sample.

Afterwards you bring the test back to your doctor, who can read the correct test result. As there are different sets for the-Test®, you should get a detailed explanation of how the test is carried out in the doctor’s practice. In principle,-Tests® can also be purchased online for self use. Here it is best to work through the instructions for use.

What should you not eat before the test?

Before a Hemoccult® test, there are some foods that should be avoided because they can falsify the test results despite the lack of blood in the stool. If you want to be on the safe side, it is best to avoid foods containing vitamin C. These include primarily citrus fruits such as oranges, lemons and limes. But other fruits (bananas) and vegetables (broccoli) can also lead to a false positive test result.

The older test variants for cancer screening also react positively to meat and substances from animal muscles contained in it. However, the new Tests® can differentiate between animal products and human blood, which is why eating meat is generally harmless in this case. However, if animal blood is also ingested, for example when eating blood sausage, this can lead to a false positive test result. Furthermore, bleeding in the gastrointestinal tract, from the oral mucosa and nosebleeds can also falsify the test results.

What does a test cost and does the health insurance company pay for it?

The-Test® is a comparatively inexpensive test. A test kit usually costs the physician between thirty and forty euros. The evaluation of the test in the laboratory adds to the costs, but varies greatly from laboratory to laboratory. If the Test® is carried out as part of the annual colorectal cancer screening, the health insurance has to cover the costs. Even if there are additional medical indications for a further performance, this is covered by the health insurance company.