A Simple Home Test to Help Detect Colon Cancer
EZ DETECT™ is a simple, sanitary, fast home test requiring no stool handling. The user simply drops a test tissue into the toilet bowl, and if blood is present, a blue-green color will appear within two minutes. The test detects small quantities (2.0mg hemoglobin/100 ml water) of occult (hidden) blood in the stool.
Here's where you can purchase an EZ Detect™ Home Test Kit.
The EZ Detect™ test kit contains 5 testing pads; a chemical that is used to assure that the product is functioning properly in your home (note: this chemical may cause irritation if not handled properly), and clear instructions. There are enough pads to test 3 consecutive bowel movements. A result card is also provided to record your results. This test does not require a doctor’s visit, also one is recommended if the test is positive.
Materials Provided for the EZ Detect™ Test Kit
Each EZ Detect™ test kit is for one user. The kit contains:
- A foil pouch containing five test tissues;
- One Positive Control package;
- One patient instruction sheet ;
- One test result post card for mailing results to a doctor or lab
How the EZ Detect Test™ Works
The EZ DETECT™ fecal occult blood test kit consists of a biodegradable tissue-paper-film coated with a chromogenic dye (TMB) and peroxide. The film is in the shape of a cross on the test tissue.
Colorectal disorders such as cancer, cause blood to be present on the outside of the stool from irritated polyps that have formed in the colon. This blood disperses onto the surface of the toilet water. The heme portion of hemoglobin, present in blood, oxidizes the tetramethylbenzidine that is on the test strip and causes a blue/green color change.
Precautions for Using the EZ Detect™ Test Kit
- Keep kit contents of the reach of children;
- The test tissues should be held by the corners. The middle of the test tissue may be sensitive to the touch. Unused test tissues must be kept in their original foil pouch, away from light and moisture. Users are advised to examine the test tissue before use. Any coloration (blue green) in the test area of the test tissue indicates deterioration and that test tissue should not be used;
- The test should not be performed if the user is bleeding from hemorrhoids, suffering from constipation, or experiencing menstrual bleeding.
Medications that can Affect EZ Detect™ Results
Some of the known drugs that cause or affect intestinal bleeding are: aspirin and other analgesic drugs, indomethacin, phenylbutazone, corticosteriods and other anti-inflammatory drugs, reserpine, butazolidine, premorin, and persantine. These drugs may produce gastrointestinal bleeding that may cause positive results.
What To Do If The Result is Positive
If the test is positive (any discoloration appears in the test area of the pad) during a test, it is likely that you have blood in the stool above the level for a normal healthy individual. Do not dismiss the findings even though there occasionally can be false positives with the test. Immediately contact your physician for follow-up and further screening (such as colonoscopy) and testing. Strongly consider seeking an appointment with a gastroenterologist, (a specialist in digestive health matters).
Here's where you can purchase an EZ Detect™ Home Test Kit.