topic Re: Cologaurd!!! in Wellness

Cologaurd!!!

chrystaltree — Thu, 09 Dec 2021 15:09:11 GMT

I'm low risk for colon cancer so I've done Cologuard twice in the past, I do it every 5 years. No problems until this year. The boxes arrive via UPS within 3 days and UPS picks them up within 12 hours for delivery to the Cologuard lab and then the problems begin. THREE times they claim that they didn't receive the sample in timely manner and they blame it on UPS. I believed it the first time, was doubtful the second time, I don't believe them the 3rd time. I see the commercials and I believe they now have so many clients that they can't keep up with the work. I'd feel better about the company if they were honest and admitted it. So, now they are sending me a FOURTH kit which I might or might not use. I don't want the hassle of a colonoscpy but I can't go through this every month. Hubby said his coworker had a similar experience but her kit was processed the 2nd time. Thanks for letting me vent lol.

Re: Cologaurd!!!

shaggygirl — Thu, 09 Dec 2021 16:08:22 GMT

You said UPS picks it up. I assume you mean at your residence. I don't know if it would matter but when mine was ready to send back I drove over to UPS and dropped it off. If you have one close by maybe that would make a difference.

Re: Cologaurd!!!

hckynutjohn — Thu, 09 Dec 2021 16:16:11 GMT

@chrystaltree

"I don't want the hassle of a colonoscpy".

My late friend used to tell me the same thing, among other reasons. No need to tell you why he is my late very close friend. 🙏

hckynut

Re: Cologaurd!!!

Mindy D — Thu, 09 Dec 2021 16:59:23 GMT

@chrystaltree Im going through this right now. Best way is to get an early morning Monday UPS pickup. The samples must reach the lab within 72 hours from the time they are taken. There is no Sunday delivery or delivery for certain holidays. Timing the pickup is crucial. Keep in mind that the timing begins from the time that you write the sample was taken from you on the sample's label.

Another thing is that it is not noted anywhere in the instructions that the box will return via UPS 24 Hour Air Delivery. I kept wondering how the heck I could get mine back to the lab within the 72 hour time frame. I didn't know it would travel using a 24 hour UPS Air Delivery until I peeled off the top label and saw the return label underneath which said 24 Hour Air Delivery. You would think someone at the Cologard company would think to note this in the instruction booklet.

Re: Cologaurd!!!

Mindy D — Thu, 09 Dec 2021 16:53:08 GMT

@hckynutjohn Cologard is used in lieu of a colonoscopy for low to average risk people. It is not 100% accurate, but neither are lab biopsies taken directly from colonoscopies. Cologard's biggest issue is its false positive rate of 13%. Those with a positive result must have a follow up colonoscopy. Of those that had follow up colonoscopies due to a positive Cologard test,13% did not actually have cancer. With Cologard, 8% of cancers are missed. With colonoscopy, how many cancers are missed? Approximately 6%.

Cologuard finds 92% of colon cancers overall

Cologuard finds 94% of Stage I & Stage II colon cancers

Re: Cologaurd!!!

labloverrr — Thu, 09 Dec 2021 16:42:31 GMT

My doctor ordered Colonguard this time, the first sample I had UPS pick it up from my house; they picked it up at the designated time. Colonguard said they received it outside he window so they couldn't process it. They sent a second kit, this time I took it to UPS, that one was received within the window and processed.

Re: Cologaurd!!!

Mindy D — Thu, 09 Dec 2021 16:46:55 GMT

@labloverrr wrote:
My doctor ordered Colonguard this time, the first sample I had UPS pick it up from my house; they picked it up at the designated time. Colonguard said they received it outside he window so they couldn't process it. They sent a second kit, this time I took it to UPS, that one was received within the window and processed.

@labloverrr Good to know. I still don't want to have to run over to a UPS store. I greatly prefer home pick up.

Re: Cologaurd!!!

Othereeeen — Thu, 09 Dec 2021 17:11:08 GMT

NO worries!!!

For 2022 Apple is introducing "ColonoCall"...where you "call in" your sample on an app!!!

First, your smear sample on your phone, press "send" and...well, you get the idea.

Get a REAL colonoscopy folks. Read Hockeynut's note and stop taking shortcuts, no matter what the cost.

Amortize that cost over a longer life if they find something, or, over if they find nothing.

Some things aren't worth cheaping on!!!

Just like the dolts who WON'T take the free Covid vaccines, who will willingly lie and die in the ICU, where it costs hundreds of thousands of dollars as they slowly suffocate, and "someone else" can pick up YOUR tab.

Just MHO.

Re: Cologaurd!!!

hckynutjohn — Thu, 09 Dec 2021 17:40:39 GMT

@Mindy D

I am quite aware of the statistics of Cologard, and the false/positives and false/negatives. To me it is a worthless test when there is a Gold Standard available. I want accurate results, not results given in percentage accuracy numbers.

Low Risk does not equate to No Risk. All 3 of my older sisters were Low Risk for Breast Cancer. Of those, 2 had Breast Cancer, and my youngest died of Cancer related to it's origin as Breast Cancer.

You get what you pay for, and me? I prefer paying more, both in $$$ and in my time, to get the Gold Standard Tests needed to keep my continuing my very active lifestyle into even an older age.

As I said above: "Low Risk/No Risk", are pretty distinct in their meanings. Word like Marginal/Nominal/Average mean nothing. I worked with 20 men on 1 job. The "Average Weight" was 190lbs, Average. If not for my 135lb weight, the Average would have been higher. Thus, "Average" says nothing, in my world.

Colon Cancer is one of the most preventable of Cancers, after Cervical Cancer, which makes it #2. Woman get regular screenings for other types of cancer on a regular basis. Do they settle for bypassing the best method of detection, or just a typical annual physical.

If my Gastroenterologist suggested Cologard to me, I would find another doctor. High Risk/Low Risk, would not enter my mind.

I stated many times on this forum my feelings on Colon and Prostate Cancers, both among the most preventable. Until better testing comes along, for Colon Cancer, my choice would be to have my 16th Colonoscopy.

hckynut

Re: Cologaurd!!!

CrazyDaisy — Thu, 09 Dec 2021 18:12:28 GMT

I have a package I need to send, non Christmas related. Decided to wait till after the holidays. Don't want it lost in all the Christmas hassle.

Re: Cologaurd!!!

vsm — Thu, 09 Dec 2021 19:20:54 GMT

I've heard of people being at "high risk" of colon cancer, @chrystaltree , but I've never heard of anyone being at "low risk" for it. Colon cancer is, sadly, fairly common, and deadly when not caught early enough. For your sake, I hope you're fed up enough with the half-baked testing products (which only test part of the colon, and even then, are not especially reliable) that you decide to get a colonoscopy. Despite the annoying prep, it remains the gold standard.

Re: Cologaurd!!!

deepwaterdotter — Thu, 09 Dec 2021 19:23:31 GMT

@hckynutjohn I will also stick with a colonoscopy as long as my insurance covers the cost.

Re: Cologaurd!!!

jackthebear — Thu, 09 Dec 2021 19:36:00 GMT

@hckynutjohn wrote:
@Mindy D

I am quite aware of the statistics of Cologard, and the false/positives and false/negatives. To me it is a worthless test when there is a Gold Standard available. I want accurate results, not results given in percentage accuracy numbers.

Low Risk does not equate to No Risk. All 3 of my older sisters were Low Risk for Breast Cancer. Of those, 2 had Breast Cancer, and my youngest died of Cancer related to it's origin as Breast Cancer.

You get what you pay for, and me? I prefer paying more, both in $$$ and in my time, to get the Gold Standard Tests needed to keep my continuing my very active lifestyle into even an older age.

As I said above: "Low Risk/No Risk", are pretty distinct in their meanings. Word like Marginal/Nominal/Average mean nothing. I worked with 20 men on 1 job. The "Average Weight" was 190lbs, Average. If not for my 135lb weight, the Average would have been higher. Thus, "Average" says nothing, in my world.

Colon Cancer is one of the most preventable of Cancers, after Cervical Cancer, which makes it #2. Woman get regular screenings for other types of cancer on a regular basis. Do they settle for bypassing the best method of detection, or just a typical annual physical.

If my Gastroenterologist suggested Cologard to me, I would find another doctor. High Risk/Low Risk, would not enter my mind.

I stated many times on this forum my feelings on Colon and Prostate Cancers, both among the most preventable. Until better testing comes along, for Colon Cancer, my choice would be to have my 16th Colonoscopy.

hckynut

I think the MD is suggesting the pack/send option to those who won't get a colonoscopy and better than no test all

Re: Cologaurd!!!

Shelbelle — Thu, 09 Dec 2021 21:24:29 GMT

I have to agree with John here, Colonoscopy is the gold standard, no ifs, ands or butts, pun intended!!

Re: Cologaurd!!!

hckynutjohn — Thu, 09 Dec 2021 21:40:00 GMT

@jackthebear

None of the doctors at my Gastroenterology Center will authorize Cologard for any patient. It can "possibly" tell a person they have cancer or polyps, but! Then the person can decide, "do I get a Colonoscopy, or is it too big of a hassle"?

Everyone has a choice in most Medical decisions, even in this now questionable time!

hckynut

Re: Cologaurd!!!

Tinkrbl44 — Thu, 09 Dec 2021 21:49:33 GMT

@jackthebear wrote:
@hckynutjohn wrote:
@Mindy D

I am quite aware of the statistics of Cologard, and the false/positives and false/negatives. To me it is a worthless test when there is a Gold Standard available. I want accurate results, not results given in percentage accuracy numbers.

Low Risk does not equate to No Risk. All 3 of my older sisters were Low Risk for Breast Cancer. Of those, 2 had Breast Cancer, and my youngest died of Cancer related to it's origin as Breast Cancer.

You get what you pay for, and me? I prefer paying more, both in $$$ and in my time, to get the Gold Standard Tests needed to keep my continuing my very active lifestyle into even an older age.

As I said above: "Low Risk/No Risk", are pretty distinct in their meanings. Word like Marginal/Nominal/Average mean nothing. I worked with 20 men on 1 job. The "Average Weight" was 190lbs, Average. If not for my 135lb weight, the Average would have been higher. Thus, "Average" says nothing, in my world.

Colon Cancer is one of the most preventable of Cancers, after Cervical Cancer, which makes it #2. Woman get regular screenings for other types of cancer on a regular basis. Do they settle for bypassing the best method of detection, or just a typical annual physical.

If my Gastroenterologist suggested Cologard to me, I would find another doctor. High Risk/Low Risk, would not enter my mind.

I stated many times on this forum my feelings on Colon and Prostate Cancers, both among the most preventable. Until better testing comes along, for Colon Cancer, my choice would be to have my 16th Colonoscopy.

hckynut
I think the MD is suggesting the pack/send option to those who won't get a colonoscopy and better than no test all

@jackthebear

ITA that Cologuard is better than nothing.

Of course, family health histories factor in. In my extended family, no one has had cancer .... except for two of my mother's siblings, both were 3 pack a day smokers who died of lung cancer.

Re: Cologaurd!!!

CatsyCline — Thu, 09 Dec 2021 22:06:46 GMT

Every 10 years is Average risk for Colonoscopy so 5 yrs using a Cologard in between seems ok. All this mansplaining though...it's a little OTT.

Re: Cologaurd!!!

Zhills — Thu, 09 Dec 2021 22:18:18 GMT

Need to chime in here! My colon cancer was not a polyp or a growth...it was inside the colon wall and could never have been detected by either the Cologaurd or blood test per my oncologist!

Re: Cologaurd!!!

Shelbelle — Thu, 09 Dec 2021 22:27:41 GMT

@Zhills wrote:
Need to chime in here! My colon cancer was not a polyp or a growth...it was inside the colon wall and could never have been detected by either the Cologaurd or blood test per my oncologist!

So, it was detected by a colonoscopy, it that what you are saying. So glad it all worked out well.

Re: Cologaurd!!!

Shelbelle — Thu, 09 Dec 2021 22:29:34 GMT

I think as was already mentioned, that Cologuard is a good way for a doc to appease a patient who says they absolutely refuse to go for a colonoscopy. It is not ideal, but it is better than doing nothing.