Bad Results on Cologuard Screening

Not personally, but those Cologuard screenings give a lot of false positives. If you're 50+ you should get a colonoscopy anyway. It's a very preventable and treatable cancer when caught. So just go get one.

No. I had the colonoscopy after Cologuard, and they found stage 2 colon cancer, removed part of my colon, started me on chemotherapy, and saved my life. You're colonoscopy may come back normal with polyps. Be thankful that we still have technology like this.

[quote]You're colonoscopy

Oh, dear!

Let's just get it out of the way...can I have your stuff?

No one should be using Cologuard. Everyone should be getting a base colonoscopy at 45 and one prior to that age if they are at all symptomatic. Cologuard is embraced by insurance companies who want a cheaper alternative, but you are rolling the dice using it.

Jesus Fucking Christ, r2. Ever use autocorrect on your phone?

True, R5, but where I live, routine colonoscopies are scheduled 9-12 months out. You're bumped to the head of the line if you get a positive cologuard or a have other symptoms.

R2, were you having any symptoms besides the positive test result?

R1 -

No symptoms but cologuard results.

Sorry, meant to say thanks, R1.

The positive result could indicate the presence of small polyps that a regular series of colonoscopies would easily remove. Almost everyone I know who gets regular colonoscopies has polyps removed and (so far) all have been benign - but they can turn into cancers. Waiting this long to get a baseline result from a real colonoscopy is unnecessarily flippant. Man up and let them into your colon. You could probably use the clean out as well.

I wish I had $1 for every colonoscopy given in this country. When I went for mine I was shocked with the amount of people in there for the procedure. It was like a factory. Then to think it takes 6-9 months from when you actually book the thing.

I had a positive FiT test (another stool test that is offered instead of colonoscopy). The follow-up colonoscopy was completely normal with no polyps or diverticula. No more testing for 10 years. The gastrointerologist told me the overwhelming number of those positive tests are false-positives.

The US is the only country in which a colonoscopy is the preferred screening method for people at average risk of colon cancer. The EU, UK, Canada, Japan and Korea offer fecal "FiT" test unless you are considered high risk. That, despite the fact that many of those countries have much higher incidence of colon cancer than the US. It is considered more cost-effective.

I had an abnormal test result with Cologuard. My colonoscopy showed some benign polyps, which were removed. Otherwise, I was fine, no cancer or diverticulitis. Good luck with your colonoscopy, OP.

Cologuard is not recommended for people with a family history of colon cancer.

Colon cancer runs in my family, so my doctor just has me do a colonoscopy every five years.

R15 Yes. Cologuard and FiT test are only recommended for people of average risk. In the US, Cologuard is every 3 years and FiT test is annual. If opting for routine screening colonoscopy (average risk) is every 10 years. Some people at very high risk (Lynch syndrome) get colonoscopies as often as every 1-2 years.

In most of the industrialized world FiT test (by far the least expensive) is given every 2 years if the person is average risk. Colonoscopies are reserved only for screening high risk people or for follow-up if there is a positive FiT test.

It's so weird to drop off your poop at UPS. I feel slightly embarrassed about it even though I know they probably have 25 people a day doing it.

Yes. So try not to worry about your Cologuard results by themselves.

No advice OP. Just sending positive vibes your way. You'll be fine. 😃

With a positive Cologuard test, only about 4% will have cancer with followup colonoscopy. 96% will be cancer-free although some may have polyps. Polyps can usually be removed during the colonoscopy.

FFS get the colonoscopy. Youve had worse things up your ass!

Why the hell do so many people have colon issues? WTF were you all shoving up there all these years? Serious question btw?