Cologuard

Mega Shopper · ‎05-28-2011

Has anyone had a positive Cologuard test and gone on to have a colonoscopy? Did you have a positive colonoscopy or was it negative, everything was fine? Has anyone experienced this??

Shelbelle · ‎03-09-2010

Happend to a friend of mine, Cologuard discovered a large polyp, he then had to have a colonoscopy to remove it.

gizmogal · ‎05-09-2014

@Shelbelle wrote:

Happend to a friend of mine, Cologuard discovered a large polyp, he then had to have a colonoscopy to remove it.

Cologuard can't "discover" a polyp. It does not have any access to the landscape, so to speak, of the colon. All it can do is detect the presence of cancer via the DNA in cells shed in the stool.

The risk of Cologuard screening is in a false negative, indicating colon health when there is actual cancer and thus there may be no follow up. Most of the positive results from Cologuard are legitimate, not false positives. I have no personal experience with a false positive needing colonoscopy follow up to check for presence of polyps.

I had one colonoscopy in my life before using Cologuard for screening in later years. One polyp was removed. I've had negative Cologuard results since, and had confidence they were accurate. I'm at very low risk so the negative was appropriate to accept.

It is foolhardy to avoid a follow up colonoscopy after a positive report from Cologuard. Either a polyp is discovered in the actual invasive exam and will be removed or there is no polyp and the results are inaccurate, but the patient is actually cancer free. Win win either way. You find out for sure and thus better ensure your health.

Cologuard detects cancer via cells shed and carried in the stool sample submitted. It does not discover or "see" polyps. It's a fancy lab test performed via chemicals applied to the sample material submitted. To "see" a polyp, a doctor must perform a colonoscopy.

Shelbelle · ‎03-09-2010

It definitely found an abnormality in my friends results, he was told to have a colonoscopy where it was removed. It was benign, but could have turned cancerous if left in there too long. So, I guess you could say his results were positive and accurate.

Shelbelle · ‎03-09-2010

Please remember that colonoscopy is still the gold standard, nothing else will be as accurate and comprehensive.

Halemme · ‎06-14-2017

Both sisters went the Cologuard way and had false positives. Skip it and just do the colonoscopy. Also, very important and they both had this problem, if you go the Cologuard way and need a colonoscopy, your insurance might not pay for it since they paid for the Cologuard. Both of their colonoscopies were negative.

NickNack · ‎03-10-2010

I had a Cologuard test that my PCP gave me. It found blood in my stool if I remember correctly. I then had a colonoscopy which found nothing. He then wanted to be doubly sure and had me do a CT scan series where I had to drink this chalky stuff. It was awful.

The gastroenterologist said that they never used Cologuard tests because they were so often inaccurate. I would have much rather have had the colonoscopy in the first place. I would never recommend Cologuard to anyone.

The Bluebird Carries The Sky On His Back"
-Henry David Thoreau

kitcat51 · ‎09-15-2016

My Dr recommends a colonoscopy every 5 yrs, my insurer sent Cologuard at 3 yrs & it tested positive...had the procedure done & it found 3 polps that tested negative. Cologuard has it's place in health care & I'm grateful.

Venezia · ‎03-09-2010

This topic interests me, because I'm currently deciding whether or not to use Cologuard. I talked to my sister-in-law just yesterday and she said it was better than a colonoscopy because you didn't have to do the "prep".

But I've had one colonoscopy in the past and think I'd rather just go that route and be absolutely sure of the results. I'm not high risk, but stil think it's better to have the test.

Also, according to my doctor, Cologuard is every 3 years. A colonoscopy is only every 10 years for low risk patients.