The HEMOTEK™ Stool Blood Test is the most advanced home test available to detect hidden blood in the stool, one of the primary early warning signals of many health problems. HEMOTEK™ is designed to detect blood in the stool that can be caused by bleeding ulcers, hemorrhoids, polyps, colitis, diverticulitis, fissures or cancer of the colon.

HEMOTEK™ is a simple and sanitary 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.

Physicians, hospitals, pharmacies, and even the American Cancer Society utilize the test. With HEMOTEK™ patients can eat normally before and during the testing period. The simplicity and sanitary method of the test maximizes patient compliance.

The test 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 and send to your physician. This test does not require a Doctor's visit, however, results should be recorded with your doctor for future reference.

Features of HEMOTEK™

Convenient, Sanitary - Easy throw-in-the-bowl test. No messy handling of stool.

Quick, simple to use - Just drop a test pad in the toilet after a bowel movement. See the results of the test in just 2 minutes. Repeat the test with the next two bowel movements.

Easy-to-read results - Test area of pad will turn blue/green if blood is detected.

Reliable and Accurate - FDA approved. Clinically proven. Used by hospitals and physicians worldwide.

No diet restrictions - Not affected by rare meat or vitamin C.

Saves time, money - Does not require lab processing.
Early Detection is Critical

Blood in the stool - which is usually hidden and unseen by the naked eye - is one of the early warning signs of colon cancer and other gastrointestinal disorders. Colon cancer is 80% to 90% curable, if detected and treated in its early stages. Caught late, it is devastating.

HEMOTEK™ tests for the unseen blood, which could indicate bowel problems needing immediate medical attention. If hidden blood is detected, a medical check-up is strongly recommended.

Facts About Colon Cancer

Colon cancer is the second leading cause of cancer death - second only to lung cancer. Contrary to popular belief that colon cancer is "a man's disease", it is an equal opportunity killer - women are just as likely as men to develop colon cancer. American Cancer Society statistics indicate there are over 156,00 new cases of colon cancer in the United States each year. About 60,000 individuals die from this disease each year. The risk of colon cancer increases after the age of 40. Individuals with a family history of bowel problems are at a higher risk.

According to the National Cancer Institute, common signs and symptoms of colon cancer include:

-A change in bowl habits
-Diarrhea, constipation or feeling that the bowel does not empty completely
-Blood in the stool
-Stools that are narrower than usual
-General abdominal discomfort (frequent gas pains, bloating, fullness, and/or cramps)
-Weight loss with no known reason
-Constant tiredness
-Vomiting
Annual Testing Is Recommended

The American Cancer Society and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control recommend annual testing for colorectal disease for all persons over age 40. United States colorectal screening guidelines issued in 1997 said simply taking fecal blood tests every year after age 50 - with easy at-home test kits - could cut colorectal cancer deaths by a third.

Yet, less than one-third of Americans get properly tested for colorectal cancer, mostly because doctors do not push the exams and patients are often too embarrassed to talk about them, says a report to Congress.

If there is a family history of colorectal cancer or intestinal bleeding, the test should be performed more often or as a doctor may recommend.

Most insurance programs, including Medicare, pay for some colorectal screening.
Protecting Yourself from Colon Cancer

According to an American Cancer Society study published in a recent issue of Journal of the National Cancer Institute, there is a growing body of evidence that suggests that increased consumption of vegetables, fruits, and grains may reduce risk of colon cancer.

Suggestions for prevention:

-Eat high-fiber content foods, such as cereal, prunes and fresh vegetables.
-Avoid excessive fats in your diet.
-If over 40, test your stool for hidden blood once a year and more often if there is a family history of bowel problems or colorectal cancer.
-If the test shows that blood is present, see your doctor immediately.

Each 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 Test Works

The HEMOTEK™ 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 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.

Hemoccult™, another test kit that requires actual handling of the stool, works by the same principle. Yet it works via the oxidation of guaiac by hydrogen peroxide. The heme portion of hemoglobin in blood catalyzes this reaction.

The sensitivity limits of HEMOTEK™ for fecal occult blood is 2.0 mg hemoglobin/100 ml water (equivalent to Hemmoccult™)
Precautions

The kit contents should not be swallowed and must be kept out of the reach of children.

The Positive Control package contains an oxidizing agent. Avoid contact with the eyes, the skin, heat or open flame. In case of an accidental spill or a direct contact, wash the affected area with large amounts of water. If ingested, administer large amounts of water. Do not induce vomiting. Call the poison control center.

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.

The test should not be performed if the user is bleeding from hemorrhoids, suffering from constipation, or experiencing menstrual bleeding.
Medications

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. The use of rectal ointments should also be avoided during the testing period.