The instructions for use can be found here .

Colon cancer screening should be performed once a year in women and men over the age of 50. According to the S3 guideline for early detection of colorectal cancer, colonoscopy (colonoscopy) is recommended as the standard procedure for men and alternatively iFOBT (immunological stool blood test). For women, the iFOBT is the standard procedure up to the age of 55. From the age of 55 (women and men) it is recommended to have a colonoscopy every 5 years.

Since many people do not take advantage of the colonoscopy or have an inhibition threshold, it makes sense to regularly carry out an immunological stool blood test:

5 reasons why an iFOBT makes sense:

• Early detection and prevention: Colorectal cancer often develops over years and initially causes no symptoms. However, if colorectal cancer is caught early, treatment is usually more successful. An iFOBT test can help detect colon cancer at an early stage, which increases the chances of recovery.
• Simplicity: The iFOBT test is easy to perform and only requires a stool sample. You can take the test in the comfort of your own home and get the result within a few days.
• Risk Factors: There are certain risk factors that increase the risk of developing colorectal cancer, such as family history of colorectal cancer, age, and unhealthy dietary habits. If you're at increased risk, an iFOBT test can help detect colon cancer early.
• Quality of life: Colorectal cancer treatments can have a serious impact on your quality of life. Early detection of colorectal cancer can help ensure that you require less aggressive treatment, thereby preserving your quality of life.

The DoctorBox colon cancer screening test is a so-called iFOBT (immunological stool blood test). This checks the stool sample for occult blood (blood that is not visible). The test procedure is as follows:

Step 1: Order

You order the sampling set from our online shop. We will send you the sampling set discreetly by post within 2-4 days.

Step 2: Register the test in the health account and collect the sample

After receiving the sampling set, first register in the DoctorBox app (Play Store, App Store). Using the Home Test widget, register your test ID (barcode card) to securely link the test to your account. Then take the sample as described in the enclosed instructions and send the sample to our laboratory in the postage-paid shipping bag.

Step 3: Results

You will receive your result 3-5 days after the laboratory has received the submitted sample.

First, it is important to understand that a fecal occult blood test (iFOBT) and a colonoscopy are different screening methods for detecting colorectal cancer and are not directly comparable.

An iFOBT is used to detect blood in the stool, which can come from polyps or cancer in the colon. It is a simple and non-invasive method that can be performed in the comfort of your own home. However, if the test is positive, it does not necessarily mean cancer is present. The iFOBT is unable to determine the source of the bleeding. If the result is positive, a doctor should carry out further tests to clarify the cause of the bleeding.

A colonoscopy is an invasive procedure that involves inserting a flexible tube through the anus into the colon to look for polyps or signs of cancer. It is a very effective method of detecting colon cancer and can also be used to take tissue samples (biopsies) or remove polyps.

It is important to understand that no test is 100% accurate. False positive and false negative results can occur with the iFOBT (immunological stool blood test).

Accuracy iFOBT:

• The sensitivity – ability to detect colon cancer or precancerous lesions – is 26.5%.
• The specificity - ability to identify healthy individuals - is 95%.

The accuracy of the test may also depend on how well the user performs the test, for example, whether they have avoided certain foods or medications that could affect the test result. For the most meaningful result, please follow the instructions in the manual.