Although most fecal occult blood tests require the patient to collect a specimen of stool and to smear it on a slide, the ColoCARE test doesn’t, making the procedure safer and simpler.²⁴

If the patient will be performing the ColoCARE test at home, tell the patient to avoid red meat and vitamin C supplements for 2 days beforehand. The patient should check with the practitioner about discontinuing any medications before the test. Drugs that may interfere with test results include aspirin, indomethacin, corticosteroids, reserpine, dietary supplements, anticancer drugs, and anticoagulants. The patient should also talk to the practitioner about medical conditions to determine the timing of the test. For example, the patient who has bleeding hemorrhoids, peptic ulcers, or gastritis shouldn’t take the test. In addition, patients who are at or near the time of menstruation shouldn’t take the test.

To perform the test, tell the patient to follow these steps:

• Flush the toilet twice just before performing the test to remove any toilet-cleaning chemicals from the tank.
• Defecate into the toilet, but don’t throw toilet paper into the bowl.
• Within 5 minutes, remove the test pad from its pouch and float it printed side up on the water.
• Watch the pad for 15 to 30 seconds for any evidence of blue or green color changes
• Record the result on the reply card.
• Flush the toilet to dispose of the test pad.²⁴

Emphasize that the patient should perform this test with three consecutive bowel movements and then send the completed card to the practitioner. However, inform the patient that the practitioner should be called immediately if the patient notes a positive color change in the first test.