Is routine fecal occult blood testing worthwhile in hospitalized patients?

As with other forms of cancer, early detection of colorectal cancer is associated with higher survival rates. Published reports indicate that 5% to 10% of positive fecal occult blood tests (FOBT) are due to cancer. This article describes a chart review study of 23 hospitalized patients with positive FOBT results, of whom seven (30.3%) had colorectal neoplasia. Rectal examination with FOBT is recommended as part of the hospital admission examination.