Stabilizing Stool Blood for Better Cancer Screening

The test that looks for hidden blood in poop is a key tool to catch colon cancer early. Yet, when the sample gets hot or sits too long, the blood can break down and the test may miss a cancer.

Scientists tried a new liquid that keeps the blood intact under different temperatures and storage times. The goal was to see if this buffer could improve test reliability in real‑world conditions.

They collected stool samples from volunteers and added the buffer to some of them, while leaving others untreated. The samples were then kept at room temperature, a warm climate and cold conditions for up to 72 hours.

After each period, the amount of hemoglobin was measured with a standard FIT kit. The buffered samples showed far less loss of blood compared to the unbuffered ones, especially after 48 hours.

This means that the new buffer can help laboratories and clinics keep samples fresh, even if there are delays in transport or processing. The result is a higher chance that the FIT will correctly flag patients who need further colonoscopy.

The study also noted that using the buffer does not interfere with the test’s chemistry or cost significantly. It could be a simple addition to current screening protocols worldwide.

Overall, stabilizing stool blood improves the accuracy of colorectal cancer screening and could reduce missed diagnoses caused by temperature‑related degradation.