Fecal occult blood test, also known as the FOBT, is a simple, non-invasive lab test that detects invisible trace amounts of blood in the stool. For many years, FOBT has been utilized by medical professionals to assess for colon cancer, and current evidence suggests that it can also detect abnormalities indicative of other cancer types — a major advancement in the realm of disease detection.

The results of an FOBT can often lead to further in-depth testing and can give doctors valuable insights into the overall health of a patient. Here are some key advantages of the FOBT:

1. Detects invisible traces of blood in the stool: FOBTs are designed to detect very minuscule amounts of blood in the stool, to the point where the patient would never even have noticed it. This important capability enables medical professionals to catch any abnormalities before they have even become visible.

2. Noninvasive: FOBTs require no insertion of medical instruments or devices into the body of the patient, and they can typically be done quickly at a clinic or lab.

3. Low cost: The cost of the test is low, making it an easy and affordable first step