A pilot study of faecal sample collection from prospective cohort study participants

Abstract

Abstract Background Faecal specimens offer a relatively accessible means of assessing the gut microbial community. We conducted a pilot study to compare the feasibility of different protocols for self-collection of faecal specimens from Australian Breakthrough Cancer (ABC) Study participants. Methods Pilot study participants were randomly selected from ABC Study participants who had not yet been invited to participate in follow-up. All pilot study participants were asked to provide a faecal sample using FOBT cards and complete a ‘day of sample’ questionnaire. Participants w..