Collecting stool samples for detection of occult blood

Before and during the test

In order that your test results are as reliable as possible, please follow these precautions in the four days before collecting the first sample, and for the duration of the test (one collection on each of three consecutive days):

• Do not eat any red meat, liver, kidneys, or blood (eg black pudding), fish with dark meat (eg salmon, tuna, mackerel or sardines), tomatoes, cauliflower, horseradish, turnips, melons, bananas or soy beans.

• Avoid alcohol and remedies such as aspirin, vitamin C or iron tablets. If you are in any doubt about the use of your medication during this test, please consult your doctor.

• A diet rich in roughage is recommended.

The test must be postponed if you are:

• having your period

• suffering from diarrhoea

• bleeding from the nose or throat.

On each of the three days, place a stool sample in one of the containers provided (one for each day). Write your full name (surname and forename), date of birth and the date and time of the sample on the container label.

This is vital to ensure the identity of your sample. It may be rejected if any of the information is missing.