Anyone ever use Cologuard?

[Puller]

I went in for my annual physical last week and the doctor fussed at me a bit because I'm a couple of years past due for a colonoscopy. I'd put it off during COVID (well that was one excuse), but was running out of excuses.

He said at my age and low risk that we could do a "Colorguard" at home test. Colorguard is intended for the qualitative detection of associated DNA markers and for the presence of occult hemoglobin. In other words, it is used to screen adults of either sex, 45 years of age or older, and who are at typical average risk for CRC. This was the first I'd ever heard of this option.

I told him sure, anything beats going in for colonoscopy. A box showed up at my home two days later with a link to instructions on line. The instructions said once the task was completed to take it to a UPS Store same day and it would be air shipped back to the lab. It took me less than 10 minutes to deal with the test, boxed it up in the pre-labeled packaging that came with it and dropped it off at the UPS Store this morning.

Just curious, anyone else used the Cologuard test?

 

[Rustyt1953]

Twice In the last 10 years I have used them. Both were tested "all clear".

I wish the aperture was a bit larger as my Norden bomb sight has trouble loitering over such a small target.

Go science!

 

[ladder13]

I think insurance companies don’t want to pay for colonoscopies.

 

[Mark 40]

Just curious, anyone else used the Cologuard test?

Used it a couple of years ago and was completely satisfied with it. Sure beat the miserable 24 hours prep prior to a colonoscopy (had two previously)

 

[Rustyt1953]

'Tis that time again...

 

[326MOD10]

Word of warning to those putting off a check:

No matter the method used by your doctor don't skimp on your colonoscopy when it is due.

A friend I worked with put his off and when he finally went in to take it, it was to late. Sadly he was able to retire but didn't get to enjoy much after that. May he RIP.

I personally had some blood issues when I was 42 (yes 42) and when all the testing was done Stage 3 colon cancer. I was lucky because it hadn't done damage and was just hanging around.

I have been scoped more times than a sniper's rifle but that is a small price to pay and sure beats the alternative.

 

[ladder13]

I don’t have an aversion to a colonoscopy, done a half dozen, so I don’t mind a doc take a full look see. I prefer polyps get taken care of before they turn into something more serious. Can Cologuard detect polyps?

For those who don’t want to do a colonoscopy, Cologuard is better than nothing, likely why it came into being.

 

[moralem]

Just do the colonoscopy….if you get a positive for any reason your going to have to have the scope anyway…..I did mine recently and it was positive.

Talk about anxiety’s for two weeks……when it was all said and done all clear. One polyp, benign. Doc says I probably tested positive because of a small hemorrhoid. Any blood in the stool will give you a positive result. So if you’re of the age that calls for a colonoscopy get it done and be 100% positive that you are all clear.

 

[Rustyt1953]

 

[Onomea]

I just googled this topic:

...Cologuard is quite accurate in detecting if you have colon cancer but only about 42% accurate in detecting if you have polyps. Polyp removal is the key to colon cancer prevention so home-based colon cancer screening could end up falling short in this area...

..It's also important to remember that most insurance companies will only cover one colon cancer screening test. If a stool-based test is positive, the follow-up colonoscopy may be considered diagnostic and fall under the patient's deductible....

Cologuard Vs. Colonscopy | Franciscan Health

There are a lot of sources with similar info.

Three years go, undergoing the delightful experience of a colonoscopy, the doc found and removed six precancerous polyps. I'm scheduled for an encore this summer.

 

[ladder13]

Just do the colonoscopy….if you get a positive for any reason your going to have to have the scope anyway…..

Bottom line. Close is no cigar, for me. I’ll take early detection.

“ Although the Cologuard test can detect signs of colorectal cancer or advanced colon polyps, it can’t detect polyps in their earliest stages when they can be easily removed”

Sayonara, you get to say goodbye.

https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct...t-cologuard/&usg=AOvVaw150URq2HhDrnC8N5hf51Pg

 

[oldbrownhat]

My gf goes in for "the scope" on Thursday morning. All was going well, (aside from dreading the final 24 hrs. of prep.), until she got a call from her insurance provider yesterday, informing her that, despite having all confirmed a few months ago, they were now not going to cover the cost of anesthetic ($200.00)

Not having the time or patience to spend two or three days on the phone with them and whatever other agencies were involved, she decided, since it isn't a general anesthetic, to just forgo the anesthetic, figuring it would likely just be slightly uncomfortable rather than painful. So she only had to spend all this morning playing telephone tag with one agency, but still has to contact the doctor. Grrr.....

She now doesn't technically need a driver to take her there and back, but I'm driving down anyway for moral support. If she's OK, at least we should be able to go for our regular brunch at our fav. eatery. We shall see...

 

[ladder13]

Is doing prep once every 5 years or so really that bad? I have done 6 so far. Allow me to assume colon cancer is worse.

 

[hittman77]

In August 2013 my friend Chuck died of colon cancer. One day past his 50th birthday. No family history. Symptoms ignored for months.

November 2013 my friend Kevin died of colon cancer at age 54. Family history of 2 grandparents dying of it. Symptoms ignored for months.

I called my Doctor asking for the test. No family history. I had 27 pre-cancerous polyps. Umm….wake up call? Yeah.

Five years later, 3 polyps.
February of this year ….. 1 polyp.
No further test needed for 7 years.

No, I haven’t done the over-the-counter thingy ….. this is one of the most treatable (curable?) cancers caught early.

Please ….. go get it done.

Off my soapbox now.

 

[hittman77]

BTW …. My insurance paid all but about $250.00 of mine.

 

[robvious]

some here know my tale of medical fun.. get the colonoscopy... cowboy up and get it done.. period.. I was diagnosed with stage 3b rectal cancer in my late 40's.. I had to beg my doctor to get a colonoscopy since I had been having issues.. and was dismissed.. "you don't need one, you are not 50 yet.." the delay almost cost me my life.. and it has messed up my entire future... I am cancer free now but I never leave the house without my diaper bag incase of issues from having radiation once and chemotherapy twice and having most of my rectum surgically removed along with a chunk of my large intestine... I am alive and that is what really counts.. but had I been diagnosed one year sooner I would not be concerned 24 hours a day with loosing control of my bowels in public... you can choose what you want...

 

[Rustyt1953]

Puller, I wish only the best for you.

I hope everything comes out alright.

 

[oldbrownhat]

Puller, I wish only the best for you.

I hope everything comes out alright.

Both in and out, actually

 

[pantannojack]

My Cologuard showed blood, but my Colonoscopy showed all clear. "Come back in ten years."

 

[ImprovedModel56Fan]

I put off colonoscopy for decades, because I felt that my high-fiber diet and the results hinted that I didn't need to worry, despite my father's history (he had different eating habits). After all, x million Africans couldn't be wrong. But I am not African.

After a drastic change in bowel movements, I became concerned. The urgent-care MD prescribed immediate relief, and correctly predicted what I would learn about the root cause ("You'll probably never know"). Nevertheless, I persisted, finally got a GP, eventually got an appointment for a colonoscopy a year into the future (COVID scare effects). In the meantime, my GP did schedule a check for occult blood, which I did submit in accordance with the supplied instructions. Fortunately, my hemorrhoids weren't acting up, so the test came back negative.

Eventually, colonoscopy time came. Getting all that liquid down was slightly trying, but I did manage to do it. The results were not a problem.

What was interesting was that the colonoscopy WAS necessary. Just like my brother, I had no colon cancer, but had a few polyps, which were uneventfully removed. This will probably happen again, five and ten years after the first, and perhaps later, as well. Can't tell you much about the procedure, because a general anesthetic was used, but a friend has informed me that it was no big deal without an anesthetic, either.

For my family history, I certainly recommend a colonoscopy. Perhaps for others, as well.

Medicare paid for both.