Is Schebo the Same as FOBT?
Schebo is a specific brand/type of fecal immunochemical test (FIT), which is one category of fecal occult blood test (FOBT), so while Schebo falls under the broader FOBT umbrella, it is not the same as traditional guaiac-based FOBT.
Understanding the FOBT Categories
FOBT is a general term that encompasses two distinct categories of stool blood tests used for colorectal cancer screening 1:
Guaiac-Based FOBT (gFOBT)
- Detects blood through the pseudoperoxidase activity of heme or hemoglobin 1
- Examples include Hemoccult II and Hemoccult SENSA 1
- Requires dietary restrictions (avoiding red meat, poultry, fish, raw vegetables) for 3 days before testing 1, 2
- Requires avoiding NSAIDs, aspirin, vitamin C, and iron supplements 1, 2
- Can produce false positives from dietary sources due to animal hemoglobin 2
Fecal Immunochemical Test (FIT)
- Detects human globin specifically, which is a protein component of human hemoglobin 1
- Schebo is a commercial FIT product that falls into this category 3
- Does not require dietary restrictions because it reacts only to human globin, not animal blood 1, 2
- More specific for lower gastrointestinal bleeding since globin is degraded by digestive enzymes in the upper GI tract 1
- Generally has higher sensitivity and specificity compared to guaiac-based tests 3
Key Practical Differences
Collection Requirements:
- Both require collecting specimens from consecutive bowel movements, typically 2-3 samples 1, 2
- FIT (including Schebo) requires less direct handling of stool in some variants 1
- FIT does not require the dietary and medication restrictions that gFOBT demands 1, 2
Processing:
- FIT products like Schebo are generally processed only in clinical laboratories 1
- Some gFOBT can be processed in physician offices, though laboratory processing is preferred 1, 2
Clinical Implications
Both test types are acceptable screening options when used properly with annual testing and appropriate follow-up colonoscopy for positive results 1. However, FIT products like Schebo offer practical advantages:
- Improved patient compliance due to no dietary restrictions 1, 3
- Fewer false positives from dietary interference 2, 3
- Can be automated with adjustable sensitivity thresholds 3, 4
Critical caveat: Regardless of whether you use Schebo (FIT) or traditional gFOBT, any positive result requires colonoscopy within 60 days, never repeat stool testing 2, 5. Single-sample testing collected during digital rectal examination has unacceptably low sensitivity (4.9% for advanced neoplasia) and should never be used for screening 2, 6.