Around 30% people who develop bowel cancer have either a hereditary contribution, family history or a combination of both. The risk of developing bowel cancer rises sharply from age 50, but the number of Australians under age 50 diagnosed with bowel cancer has been increasingly steadily.
i-screen's Bowel Cancer Check not only includes the traditional faecal occult blood test used to detect tiny amounts of blood in the stool, but also includes the progressive M2-PK tumour marker. The M2-PK test has been shown to be a highly accurate test in the detection of colorectal cancer. The detection of M2-PK does not depend on blood in the stool and can be used for the early detection of colorectal cancers and polyps which are known to be the precursors of colorectal cancer.
What we test
Faecal Occult Blood
Bowel (or colorectal) cancer causes the second highest number of cancer deaths in New Zealand after lung cancer. However, around 90% of bowel cancer cases are cured if detected early. Screening for bowel cancer typically involves a faecal occult test which specifically detects hidden blood in stool by identifying human haemoglobin, indicating potential issues like colorectal polyps, inflammation, or cancer.
The Faecal Occult Blood Test (FOBT) specifically detects hidden blood in stool by identifying human haemoglobin, indicating potential issues like colorectal polyps, inflammation, or cancer. For accurate results, patients usually do not need dietary restrictions, as the test only responds to human blood. To complete the test, a small stool sample is placed on the cassette, which uses antibodies to detect human haemoglobin. A positive result suggests blood presence and may warrant further investigation, while a negative result indicates no detectable blood in the sample.
Test instructions
Pick up a sample collection container from your local collection centre.
Download and print your pathology form from your i-screen dashboard.
Take your form to your local collection centre to have your sample taken - no need for an appointment.
We'll publish your results in your own personal dashboard within 3-7 business days depending on your region.
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