General tests for bowel cancer

Learn more about these general tests:

• Physical examination
• Blood test
• Immunochemical faecal occult blood test (iFOBT)

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Physical examination

Your doctor will examine your body, feeling your abdomen for any swelling. To check for problems in the rectum and anus, your doctor will insert a gloved, lubricated finger into your anus and feel for any lumps or swelling. This is called a digital rectal examination (DRE).

The DRE may be uncomfortable, but it shouldn’t be painful. Because the anus is a muscle, it can help to try to relax during the examination. The pressure on the rectum might make you feel like you are going to have a bowel movement, but it is very unlikely that this will happen.

Blood test

You may have a blood test to assess your general health and to look for signs that suggest you are losing blood in your stools.

The blood test may measure chemicals that are found or made in your liver, and check your red blood cell count. Low red blood cell levels (anaemia) are common in people with bowel cancer, but may also be caused by other conditions.

Immunochemical faecal occult blood test (iFOBT)

Depending on your symptoms, you may have an iFOBT. This test is generally not recommended for people who are bleeding from the rectum, but may be used for people with unexplained weight loss, abdominal pain, changes to their bowel habits or anaemia.

The iFOBT involves taking a sample of your stools at home. The stool sample is examined for microscopic traces of blood, which may be a sign of polyps, cancer or another bowel condition. An iFOBT does not diagnose cancer, but if it finds blood, your doctor will recommend you have a colonoscopy as soon as possible, but no later than 120 days after getting the result.

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