Faecal Occult Test
Definition: A "faecal occult test" is a medical test that you can do at home. It involves collecting small samples of your stool (the waste your body produces) to check for hidden (or "occult") blood. This test is used to help find out if you might have colorectal cancer or other problems in your intestines.
Usage Instructions: 1. The test usually comes with a kit that includes tools for collecting the stool samples. 2. You will collect a small amount of stool on a special card or container provided in the kit. 3. After collecting the samples, you send them to a laboratory for testing. 4. Follow the instructions carefully to ensure accurate results.
Example:"After turning 50, my doctor recommended that I take a faecal occult test every year to check for any signs of colorectal cancer."
Advanced Usage: In medical contexts, healthcare providers may refer to the faecal occult test as "FOBT" (the abbreviation for faecal occult blood test). There are different types of tests, such as the guaiac-based FOBT and the immunochemical FOBT, which may have different methods for detecting blood.
Word Variants: - Faecal (or fecal in American English): relating to stool. - Occult: hidden or not visible. - Test: a procedure to assess or measure something.
Different Meanings: The term "occult" can also refer to something that is mysterious or related to supernatural phenomena in other contexts, but in this case, it specifically means hidden.
Synonyms: - Stool occult blood test - Fecal blood test - Hidden blood test
Idioms and Phrasal Verbs:There are no specific idioms or phrasal verbs directly related to "faecal occult test," but it is often discussed in the context of preventive health care. You might hear phrases like "catch it early," emphasizing the importance of early detection in health.
Conclusion: The faecal occult test is an important tool for monitoring your health, especially as you get older. It may seem a bit uncomfortable to collect stool samples, but it plays a crucial role in keeping you healthy by helping doctors detect any possible health issues early on.