Cologaurd!!! - Page 2

vsm · ‎05-08-2010

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.

deepwaterdotter · ‎03-09-2010

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

jackthebear · ‎03-11-2010

@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

Shelbelle · ‎03-09-2010

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

hckynutjohn · ‎06-15-2015

@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

hckynut(john)

Tinkrbl44 · ‎08-23-2010

@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.

CatsyCline · ‎07-24-2013

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.

Zhills · ‎11-15-2011

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!

Shelbelle · ‎03-09-2010

@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.

Shelbelle · ‎03-09-2010

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.