Stool routine test is taken by the doctor when you have stomach problems. A stool analysis is a series of tests done on stool sample to diagnose certain medical conditions that affect the digestive tract. These conditions can be either an infection, poor nutrient absorption in the body or even cancer. The analysis can help in identifying diseases as well as the cause of symptoms affecting the digestive tract, liver and pancreas. This test is also used for screening colon cancer by checking for hidden blood. The FOBT (faecal occult blood test) looks for blood that has been stowed in the stool. Two to three different stool samples must be collected for the FOBT, which typically comes with an at-home sample collection kit. The FOBT is a tool for early colorectal cancer detection. The FOBT can also identify gastrointestinal bleeding brought on by other disorders. Follow-up tests are often required to ascertain the cause of blood seen in the stool.