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?

In your case, a follow up colonoscopy is essential. Same with me when I failed a FiT test (follow up colonoscopy was completely clear, not even polyps). Most of the industrialized/1st world uses FiT test for people of average risk of colon cancer with follow up colonoscopy when indicated. A new Spanish study, COLONPREV, recently published in The Lancet backs this up.

It's most likely a couple of polyps. That's what I had after testing positive with Cologuard. A coworker tested positive, but his colonoscopy was clean as a whistle. So it does give false positives. Get a colonoscopy because while you likely have something minor, you don't want to take chances.

If you ignore a positive FiT or Cologuard test, it defeats the purpose of having one at all. A negative tests means you can skip a colonoscopy, but a positive test means you need to HAVE a follow-up colonoscopy to rule out cancer.

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

March is Colonoscopy Awareness Month. Put that on a T-shirt and rake in the cash, R21.

I got a colonoscopy within a week of calling to make an appointment (after my doctor put in the order). I was symptomatic, however.

Why are people having to wait 6 months for a colonoscopy? I have a colorectal doctor I see every year for my annual fingering (I had ass cancer about 10 years ago) and he schedules it and I go within a couple of weeks.

I failed the FiT test but no symptoms at all. My primary (an NP) put "routine" on the referral and I had my appointment in 29 days. Probably depends on where you live and insurance. I have an HMO (Health Net).

I had early stage colon cancer. I would never do Cologuard. False positives but also the chance of missing something. Just get the damn colonoscopy.

Get a colonoscopy. I had 4 polyps removed. It was better than the alternative.

I had my only ever colonoscopy at 63 years old although I had Cologuard (was negative) 3 years prior. No polyps or any abnormalities found. Gastrointerologist told me that I don't need any further colon cancer screening for10 years. I'll be 73 by then and routine screening usually ends at 75. I'll probably do Cologuard (or whatever non-invasive screening is available in another 9 years) and be done with it. I have no risk factors (family history, previous polyps or other conditions). As you age, the risk that you will live long enough to die of colon cancer drops while the risk of serious adverse effects of the colonoscopy precedure itself increases. Everyone has to make these decisions themselves based on their own risk factors. Certainly I would consider a different plan if I had first degree relatives that had colon cancer (or any type of cancer) or if I had a personal history of polyps or HPV infection...back there. Other than basal cell skin cancer, no one in my family, other than distant cousins, has had any type of cancer. It's just not what gets us. I wish I could say the same thing about dementia.

Was quoted wait times of 2-5 months for a colonoscopy last year even though I had cancer symptoms. After the procedure, I was admitted immediately and later diagnosed as stage III. Surgery and chemo followed and I am now fine except for numb toes. I have no trouble scheduling a colonoscopy now so that answers your question. GI specialists generally do it only one day a week and give preference to recovering and former patients and there are a lot of us.

R28 Your MD may refer you as "urgent" vs "routine" due to your medical history. It also can depend on the area you live in. The average wait time for a colonoscopy in the US is 123 days. Urgent typically do not take that long, but a routine screening colonoscopy (no symptoms or failed FiT test) may take 6 months. Patients with severe symptoms, such as unstable bleeding, will typically have the precedure within 8-24 hours (often hospitalized). The reality is that delays of 6 months with diagnostic colonoscopy after failed FiT or Cologuard don't affect overall mortality according to multiple studies. That's because the vast majority do not turn out to be cancer and while some forms of colon cancer are aggressive, most are not. I am glad that I only waited 29 days for a colonoscopy after a failed FiT test because of the psychological stress of waiting. I live in a major metropolitan area may be why my wait was relatively short.

The cologuard test kit procedure is daunting. Did it twice both were rejected as "unreadable" Doc said your "sample" must be "fresh" even 24 hours delay in mailing is too long. It must be hot & steamy. Thinking of taking a dump on the floor of UPS store. Perhaps this will make my 3rd stool the charm.

This thread reminds one the average age of DL posters is 71 yo.

Surprising. Thought the average age of DL posters was...

Had stage 4 colorectal cancer with metastasis to liver and, strangely, my left kidney. It was a 3-year odyssey that I would only wish on Republicans. Due to shitty insurance I had at the time (pun intended) it took a year and a half until I finally had a colonoscopy. Have been in remission for almost 6 years and graduated to an every other year colonoscopy schedule. Had a total of 4 surgeries, plus chemo and radiation, and wore a colostomy bag for about a year. I am so grateful that was reversed and that I am still alive. Nevertheless, I'm now living with severely impaired liver and kidney function. My colon is OK, except that half is gone, so there is less "storage space".

Yeah, colonoscopies are a hassle, but it's still the gold standard.

Early diagnosis - as for any aggressive cancer - is essential. If you have the option, do it. If not, at least do a stool test and don't put it off because it's "icky".

Congrats to r33!

R38 I am so sorry you went through that but am glad you're alive. You're a hero.

I just got sent my box. Haven't opened it yet. Is there any prep for it? Fasting?

R40 If it's a Cologuard kit, no fasting, special diet or medication restrictions are required.

Thanks R41.

Posting this article here, didn't necessarily want to start a new thread but for anyone who is thinking about getting a colonscopy, this is a good explainer.

OP, I hope you were/are able to get your colonoscopy, sometimes insurance companies can refuse to pay for a colonoscopy if they already paid for Cologuard, it's one or the other for them.

This article says that rates of cancer have increased for those born in the 1980s and 1990s - I suspect due to a shift in American diets to fast/prepared foods.

I don't want to recommend to anyone that they be a "Karen" but any wait longer than 2-3 months for a colonoscopy is really not good, I'd try another doctor or facility.

I had issues for over a year, landed in the ER, waited for several months before the local health system deigned to schedule an appointment for me, one they forced me to have before they would even let me talk to a doctor let alone schedule a colonoscopy......charging me $600 for an appointment that was literally someone coming into a room and talking to me for three minutes at the most to tell me the things about a colonoscopy I could have easily read online.

When three months after THAT had gone by and they still hadn't answered their phones or scheduled a colonoscopy for me, I found a GI doc an hour away and had a telehealth appointment that day and was on my back with a probe in my ass three weeks later.

I happen to live in a healthcare desert of sorts but even big cities with lots of providers are facing shortages. And GI docs are among the specialties with the biggest shortages right now. So you kind of have to be your own advocate and insist on getting one. Too many hold off because getting a colonoscopy isn't exactly fun, and then "I'll call in a few weeks" becomes "It's two years later." Just dooooo itttttt.

R38 Wow good to hear you're doing well. My dad was diagnosed with stage 4 colon cancer that had metastasized to his liver and part of his lungs. The doctors put him on chemotherapy but it was only to prolong his life as they were unable to operate.

I'm sure you don't need my father's story to feel grateful for your recovery, though!

[quote] If not, at least do a stool test

Yes, this is good advice too, any good GI doc should be asking for stool tests if you present with suspected GI issues, they can test for an array of things. I mean, you have to poop in a colander and spoon it into a vial. Yuck, but it's not that hard.

I did that and found I needed a huge dose adjustment in a medication I've taken ever since I had my gallbladder removed. Night and day difference afterwards.

My nurse practitioner told me that she has had patients who have abnormal cologard tests and the insurance companies try to refuse to pay for colonoscopies. She said it’s a real issue.

Hello, OP here. I am scheduled for the colonoscopy on September 4th. So I glad I didn’t have to wait 6 months.

That’s just evil R46!

I haven’t had that experience OP, but just FYI that some conditions predispose to positive results with Cologuard and fecal testing isn’t recommended for those folks.

Insurance companies are evil. A friend just received a $140 bill for his annual physical because he asked an “out-of-scope question” of his provider, which was what if any vaccines he should consider now that he’s entered a new decade.

That’s an irregular question? Sorry, but that is exactly the type of visit where you should be getting basic preventive advice.

R46 That happened to a few people I know, so I try to spread the word about that.

If someone really really REALLY hates the idea of a colonoscopy, they should do a stool test OR be willing to pay out of pocket for Cologuard.

It's not exactly cheap, but $750-1000 for Cologuard out of pocket is MUCH cheaper than the tens of thousands of dollars hospitals charge for a colonoscopy.

R47 Good news!!!

R6 in what strange place do you live. I can book it a week ahead.

I had one in June OP. They found three small polyps and they removed them. I’m okay. I hope you will be okay too.

r35, yeah, my cat's vet also insists on a fresh stool sample. it's not that hard to plan ahead and do your Cologard test when you have time to take it to the nearest UPS drop.

Yeah, it was weird having to take my sample to the UPS drop off place since it was obvious what it was. I chose a drugstore drop off so at least they're used to medical shit LOL.

Spouse of a colleague in his late 60s did Cologuard, came back positive - colonoscopy follow up found stage 1 which was then removed the following week and he’s in the clear.

I had a positive FiT test last year. My insurance (Health Net HMO) covered a follow-up colonoscopy in full (no copay or deductible) as is legally required in the US.

Someone has sent me a bowel movement!

Pesto pasta with tuna.

R47 It's stressful to have to wait even though a 6 month wait statistically doesn't affect outcome. I only waited 29 days and it was still somewhat stressful. I ordered another FiT test online (no Rx required) just to put my mind at ease (that one was negative). You can get 2 FiT tests on Amazon for $33 and free shipping. That's why FiT tests are the "gold standard" in all of the countries with universal healthcare. It is considered very cost-effective relative to a colonoscopy.

Corn? Now when did I eat corn?

R38, you were able to get rid of the ostomy bag?????

Could there be hope?

Right now, I’m ready to die or be healed, but this bag is driving me up the wall. It’s not just that there’s shit in the bag; it’s shit that spatters if I fill the pouch with too much gas and I can’t really control how much gas I’m passing through a pouch. I can’t feel anything produced out of the stoma. I have to keep checking it to see if it needs burping or emptying. AND, I’ve caught myself checking while talking with coworkers. That’s just stupid.