Positive Fecal Blood Test

I have a positive fecal blood test - immunochemical. I am 44 with no other symptoms. I do have pruritus ani with some open excoriations and blood on occasion on toilet paper from aggressive wiping. Is it possible that the test could be a false positive secondary to the pruritus ani?

[S. Kaul, MD]

Hi there!

The immunochemical test detects globin, and though there is a small chance of this being false positive; blood in stools may not necessarily indicate cancer. Occult blood can also be found in a number of GI infections, inflammations, benign growths/ masses, ulceration, erosions etc. Occult blood testing is just a screening test, which if positive would indicate the need for further investigation.
Hope this information helps.

Take care!