Risks and limitations of the fecal occult blood test include:

  • The test isn't always accurate. Your fecal occult blood test could show a negative test result when cancer is present (false-negative result) if your cancer or polyps don't bleed.


  • Having a fecal occult blood test may lead to additional testing. When the fecal occult blood test result is positive but a follow-up colonoscopy is normal, your doctor may recommend further observation with another fecal occult blood test, evaluation of your upper gastrointestinal tract, a repeat colonoscopy or a combination of these.
  • Fecal occult blood tests can't detect all cancers. Some cancers detected by colonoscopy may not be detected by the fecal occult blood test.
June 06, 2014