How Long to Abstain from Eating Red Meat before Fecal Occult Blood Tests

Abstract

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, MDSearch for more papers by this author, William M. Steinberg, MDSearch for more papers by this author, Bonnie L. Banks, BASearch for more papers by this author, James P. Henry, BSSearch for more papers by this authorAuthor, 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...