How Long to Abstain from Eating Red Meat before Fecal Occult Blood Tests
Authors: Elliot J. Feinberg
Journal: Annals of Internal Medicine (1990)

Brief Reports1 September 1990How Long to Abstain from Eating Red Meat before Fecal Occult Blood TestsElliot J. Feinberg, MD, William M. Steinberg, MD, Bonnie L. Banks, BA, James P. Henry, BSElliot J. Feinberg, MD, William M. Steinberg, MD, Bonnie L. Banks, BA, James P. Henry, BSAuthor, Article, and Disclosure Informationhttps://doi.org/10.7326/0003-4819-113-5-403 SectionsAboutPDF ToolsAdd to favoritesDownload CitationsTrack CitationsPermissions ShareFacebookTwitterLinkedInRedditEmail ExcerptHemoccult's long recognized use for colon cancer screening (1, 2) has recently been challenged by newer fecal occult blood tests with reputed advantages in sensitivity and specificity.The HemoQuant quantitatively measures the concentration of heme-derived porphyrins (3, 4). The Hemoccult SENSA, a modified guaiac-based test, reportedly detects lower levels of hemoglobin, thereby increasing sensitivity (5). The HemeSelect, using an antihuman hemoglobin antibody, is reported to be highly sensitive and specific (6, 7). Although dietary constituents, especially red meat, can increase the false-positive rate of the Hemoccult (1, 2, 8, 9), Hemoccult SENSA (5), and HemoQuant (4) tests, the comparative duration...References1. Greegor D. Detection of silent colon cancer in routine examination. CA. 1969;19:330-7. Google Scholar2. Simon J. Occult blood screening for colorectal carcinoma: a critical review. Gastroenterology. 1985;88:820-37. CrossrefMedlineGoogle Scholar3. AhlquistMcGillSchwartzTaylorOwen DDSWR. Fecal blood levels in health and disease. N Engl J Med. 1985;312:1422-7. CrossrefMedlineGoogle Scholar4. SchwartzEllefson SM. Quantitative fecal recovery of ingested hemoglobin-heme in blood: comparison by HemoQuant assay with ingested meat and fish. Gastroenterology. 1985;89:19-26. CrossrefMedlineGoogle Scholar5. Product Instructions, Hemoccult SENSA. A.675683. May 1988, SmithKline Diagnostics, San Jose, California. Google Scholar6. SaitoUedaKakizaki HNY. An immunological occult blood test for mass screening of colorectal cancer by reverse passive hemagglutination (RPHA). Jpn J Gastroenterol. 1984;81:2831-84. Google Scholar7. St. JohnYoungCuthbertson DGA. Detection of colorectal neoplasia: comparison of guaiac, porphyrin and immunochemical tests for occult blood [Abstract]. Gastroenterology. 1989;96:A492. Google Scholar8. MacraeSt. JohnCaligioreTaylorLegge FDPLJ. Optimal dietary conditions for Hemoccult testing. Gastroenterology. 1982;82:899-903. CrossrefMedlineGoogle Scholar9. GnauckMacraeFleisher RFM. How to perform the fecal occult blood test. CA. 1984;34:135-47. Google Scholar10. DiemLentner KC eds. Documenta Geigy Scientific Tables. 7th ed, Ardsley, New York: Geigy Pharmaceuticals; 1970;85-98. Google Scholar This content is PDF only. To continue reading please click on the PDF icon. Author, Article, and Disclosure InformationAuthors: Elliot J. Feinberg, MD; William M. Steinberg, MD; Bonnie L. Banks, BA; James P. Henry, BSAffiliations: From The George Washington University Medical Center, Washington, DC. For current author addresses, see end of text. PreviousarticleNextarticle Advertisement FiguresReferencesRelatedDetails Metrics Cited byFecal Occult Blood TestsSystematic review with meta-analysis: faecal occult blood tests show lower colorectal cancer detection rates in the proximal colon in colonoscopy-verified diagnostic studiesThe Usefulness of a Novel Screening Kit for Colorectal Cancer Using the Immunochromatographic Fecal Tumor M2 Pyruvate Kinase TestTests and investigations for colorectal cancer screeningDiagnostic value of fecal tumor M2-pyruvate kinase for CRC screening: A systematic review and meta-analysisScreening for colorectal cancer: what fits best?Immunochemical faecal occult blood tests have superior stability and analytical performance characteristics over guaiac-based tests in a controlled in vitro studyThe discovery and validation of colorectal cancer biomarkers¿Test químico o test inmunológico para la detección de sangre oculta en heces en el cribado del cáncer colorrectal?Fecal Occult Blood TestingAn Overview of Colorectal Cancer ScreeningComparison of a brush-sampling fecal immunochemical test for hemoglobin with a sensitive guaiac-based fecal occult blood test in detection of colorectal neoplasiaPrescreening Evaluation of a Brush-Based Faecal Immunochemical Test for HaemoglobinOccult BloodReview article: faecal occult blood testing for colorectal cancerOCCULT GASTROINTESTINAL BLEEDINGReadability and sensitivity of a new faecal occult blood test in a hospital ward environment: Comparison with an established testQuantitative measurement of faecal blood loss: comparison of radioisotopic and chemical analyses. 1 September 1990Volume 113, Issue 5Page: 403-404KeywordsColorectal cancerDiagnostic techniquesEatingHematologic testsHemoglobinMeatMedical servicesNutritionPorphyrinsSpecificity ePublished: 1 December 2008 Issue Published: 1 September 1990 PDF downloadLoading ...