A fecal occult blood test (FOBT) is a type of test that is used to detect the presence of blood in the stool, which is not visible to the naked eye. Blood in the stool can be a sign of a variety of conditions, such as inflammatory bowel disease, colon cancer, and stomach ulcers. This test is commonly ordered when a person has symptoms that may be caused by these conditions, such as abdominal pain, bloating, and changes in bowel habits. It can also be used to screen for colon cancer in people who are at average or high risk for the disease. The FOBT is a simple and non-invasive test that involves collecting a small sample of stool and testing it for the presence of blood.
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