Mascot Healthcare · Akoka, Lagos

Fecal Occult
Blood Test
FOBT · FIT

Colorectal Cancer Screening · Polyp Detection · Ulcer Monitoring · Annual Health Check

Colorectal cancer is highly curable when detected early — yet most cases cause no symptoms until late stage. The fecal occult blood test detects microscopic blood in stool that the eye cannot see: the earliest warning sign of polyps, ulcers, and bowel cancer.

Book Your Test Learn More

Non-

Invasive
Home Sample

Same-day

FIT Results
Available

Annual

Screening
Recommended

FOBT Result

Fecal Occult Blood

Positive

Occult blood detected — follow-up advised

Investigate ⚠

Positive ≠ cancer — many causes possible

Method

FIT Immunoassay

About the Test

Detecting the Invisible

Blood from colorectal polyps, ulcers, haemorrhoids, or bowel cancer mixes with stool in quantities too small to see — but large enough for a laboratory test to detect. FOBT finds this invisible blood before symptoms develop.

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Guaiac FOBT (gFOBT)

A chemical guaiac reaction detects haem (the iron-containing portion of blood) in stool. Requires dietary restriction — no red meat, vitamin C, or raw vegetables for 3 days before. Samples from 3 separate bowel movements for maximum sensitivity.

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Immunochemical FIT (iFOBT)

Uses antibodies specific to human blood — detecting only human haemoglobin, not dietary blood from meat. No dietary restrictions needed. More specific and sensitive than guaiac FOBT. One sample is usually sufficient. Our preferred method.

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What a Positive Result Means

A positive FOBT does not diagnose cancer. Blood in stool has many causes — haemorrhoids, polyps, peptic ulcers, inflammatory bowel disease, and colorectal cancer. A positive result triggers further investigation (colonoscopy) to identify the source.

When to Test

Five Reasons to Get an FOBT

Adults Over 45 — Routine Annual Screening

Colorectal cancer risk rises sharply after 45. Annual FOBT is the most practical and accessible screening tool — non-invasive, affordable, and performed at home. Early detection at polyp stage is curative.

Family History of Colorectal Cancer

First-degree relatives of colorectal cancer patients have 2–3× elevated risk. If a parent or sibling was diagnosed, start screening 10 years before their diagnosis age — and include annual FOBT.

Change in Bowel Habits or Unexplained Anaemia

Persistent constipation, diarrhoea, or pencil-thin stools suggest bowel pathology. Unexplained iron deficiency anaemia without obvious cause should prompt FOBT — chronic blood loss from the bowel is a common culprit.

Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) Monitoring

Patients with long-standing Crohn's disease or ulcerative colitis have elevated colorectal cancer risk. Annual FOBT alongside colonoscopy surveillance detects early malignant change.

Abdominal Pain, Bloating, or Unexplained Weight Loss

These symptoms — especially together — can indicate colorectal pathology. FOBT is the non-invasive first step before proceeding to imaging or colonoscopy if positive.

FOBT Screening Recommendations

Average risk (45+)

Annually

Family history

Age 35+ annually

IBD (10+ years)

Annually + scope

Positive FOBT

→ Colonoscopy

⚕️ A negative FOBT does not rule out all bowel pathology — it screens for blood. Colonoscopy remains the definitive investigation for any symptomatic patient, regardless of FOBT result.

Preparation

How to Prepare for Your FOBT

The FIT (immunochemical) test requires minimal preparation — making it straightforward to complete.

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gFOBT: Avoid Red Meat & Vitamin C

For the guaiac-based FOBT, avoid red meat, raw broccoli/cauliflower, and vitamin C supplements for 3 days before collection. These cause false positives. The FIT test has no dietary restrictions.

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Home Sample Collection Kit

We provide a sterile collection kit with instructions. You collect your stool sample privately at home and bring it to the clinic within 24 hours (kept cool). No need to provide the sample at the clinic.

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Disclose NSAIDs & Blood Thinners

Aspirin, ibuprofen, warfarin, and other NSAIDs or anticoagulants can cause gastrointestinal bleeding that produces false-positive results. Tell us all medications before testing.

Why Choose Us

Trusted Colorectal Screening in Akoka & Beyond

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Take-Home Kit — No Clinic Collection

We provide a sterile kit you take home. Sample collection is private and dignified. Return it within 24 hours for analysis — no awkward sample collection at the clinic.

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FIT Method — No Dietary Restrictions

We prefer the immunochemical FIT method — more specific, no dietary restrictions, and a single sample is usually sufficient. Easier for patients to complete and more accurate results.

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Clear Guidance on Positive Results

A positive FOBT needs follow-up. We explain what it means, what the likely causes are, and how to proceed with your doctor — so you leave informed, not alarmed.

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Discreet & Professional

Digestive health testing can feel awkward. Our team handles FOBT requests with matter-of-fact professionalism — no embarrassment, just clinical care.

"I'm 52 and my doctor recommended annual FOBT. Mascot Healthcare gave me a kit, I did it at home, brought it back. Negative result — peace of mind. The whole process was simple and the staff were professional. Will do this every year."

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P. Adeleke

Patient, Akoka · 2025

400+

FOBT Tests Done

4.9★

Patient Rating

FIT

Preferred Method

Same-day

Results

Book Your Fecal Occult Blood Test

Hidden Blood in Stool. Find It Before It Becomes Serious.

Walk in or book ahead. Located at 52 Sholanke Street, Off Chemist Junction, Akoka, Lagos.

Monday – Saturday · 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM · Closed Sundays & Public Holidays

08165866252 WhatsApp Us Book Online

Home sample collection kit provided · FIT needs no dietary prep · Walk-ins welcome

Fecal OccultBlood TestFOBT · FIT