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People also ask
What is a colon cancer screening test?
Is Cologuard a good test for colon cancer?
How often should you screen for colon cancer after a negative Cologuard result?
Feb 4, 2021 · Cologuard is a noninvasive, effective and affordable at-home colon cancer screening test that requires no prep. We’re the only noninvasive screening test that looks for both abnormal DNA and blood in your stool.
- Overview
- What is the Cologuard test?
- How does Cologuard work?
- Cologuard test vs. colonoscopy
- How much does it cost?
- Who should get the Cologuard test?
- Cologuard test results
- Benefits of the Cologuard test
- Drawbacks of the Cologuard test
- The takeaway
Cologuard is a prescription colon cancer screening kit that you can use at home. The test is different from a colonoscopy and has fewer risks, but it isn’t right for everyone.
Cologuard looks for changes in your DNA that could indicate the presence of colon cancer or precancerous polyps. Polyps are growths on the colon’s surface that may develop into cancer.
Cologuard is gaining popularity because it’s far less invasive and more convenient than the traditional colonoscopy test.
Colon cancer is the third most common cancer in the United States, with the American Cancer Society (ACS) estimating that over 100,000 new cases will be diagnosed this year.
Even if you’re at an average risk, the ACS suggests that you start screening for colon cancer at age 45 and the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) suggests that you start at 50. You’re at an average risk if you have no symptoms or family history of colorectal cancer.
Cologuard tests for colon cancer by identifying atypical DNA and traces of blood in the stool that precancerous polyps and colon cancer can cause.
Your doctor will need to prescribe the test for you before you’re able to order a Cologuard kit. You can fill out a form on the company’s website that makes a customized order form for you to bring to your doctor.
If you’re taking the Cologuard test, here’s what to expect:
1.You’ll receive a kit that includes all that you need to collect a stool sample with minimal contact with your stool. The kit includes a bracket and collection bucket, a probe and lab tube set, a preservative solution that will preserve your sample during shipping, and a prepaid shipping label for sending the box back to the lab.
While Cologuard and a colonoscopy can both be used as screening tests, they take two different approaches and provide different information.
Cologuard detects proteins that may be shed from colon cancer and polyps. When your doctor performs a colonoscopy, they’re trying to find the polyps themselves.
According to the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, colonoscopy does carry a low risk of complications. These include reactions to sedatives or possible puncturing of your bowel. Cologuard carries no such risks.
On the other hand, a 2019 study found that Cologuard:
•can sometimes miss precancerous polyps in its screening, which is called a false negative
•can often miss detecting the presence of larger polyps
Many health insurance companies cover Cologuard, including Medicare.
If you’re eligible for colon cancer screening (between 50 and 75 years old) and have insurance, you may be able to get Cologuard without any out-of-pocket expense.
The Cologuard test is designed for people who have an average risk and should be getting tested for colon cancer on a regular basis.
The USPSTF recommends that adults in the United States between 50 and 75 years old get screened regularly for colon cancer. The ACS recommendation is to begin screening at 45 years old.
After the lab evaluates your stool sample, Cologuard test results are sent to your doctor. Your doctor will go over the results with you and address any next steps for further testing if you need it.
Cologuard test results simply show a “negative” or a “positive.” Negative test results indicate that no atypical DNA or hemoglobin biomarkers were found in your stool sample.
That just means that the test did not detect any signs of colon cancer or precancerous polyps in your colon.
If you get a positive Cologuard result, it means the test detected signs of colon cancer or precancerous polyps.
False positives and false negatives do happen with Cologuard tests. In a 2014 clinical study, about 13 percent of results from Cologuard were false positives and 8 percent were false negatives.
If you have a positive result, your doctor will recommend following up with a colonoscopy.
The Cologuard test has several benefits over other kinds of tests.
You can do the test at home, which cuts back on time in waiting rooms or in the hospital having an exam.
Some people are hesitant about having a colonoscopy because it generally requires some sedation.
Cologuard allows you to be screened without having any sedation or anesthesia. However, if your Cologuard test is atypical, it should be followed up with a colonoscopy.
The Cologuard test has some drawbacks, mostly involving its accuracy.
A 2018 research review shows that stool sample testing is not as accurate as colonoscopy when it comes to detecting precancerous polyps and lesions.
False positives can create a lot of unnecessary stress and worry while you wait for follow-up testing. The high levels of false positives associated with Cologuard make some doctors wary of the test.
False negatives — or missing the presence of colon cancer or polyps — are also possible. In a 2014 study, the false negative rate was higher for large polyps.
Since Cologuard testing is somewhat new, there’s not any long-term data available on how this screening method will affect your long-term outlook if you do end up having colon cancer.
Keep in mind that there are other fecal testing kits available aside from Cologuard.
Colon cancer is treatable, but early detection makes a big difference for people who have it. The ACS says that colon cancer detected at its earliest stage has an 80 percent survival rate 5 years after diagnosis. If you’re using Cologuard, the ACS recommends screening every 3 years.
Once colon cancer has progressed to later stages, positive outcomes decline sharply. A colonoscopy is typically recommended every 10 years for people with an average risk of colon cancer.
You may want to address any concerns, fears, and questions you have about both the colonoscopy and Cologuard screening methods at your next routine visit.
Start the conversation by asking about your overall risk of colon cancer based on your health history, or by directly asking your doctor about Cologuard and its accuracy.
May 15, 2023 · Cologuard is a noninvasive screening tool for colon cancer and precancerous polyps. It looks for cancer-related genetic mutations and evidence of blood in the stool. The test is collected in the privacy of your own home.
- Lana Barhum
Jun 26, 2023 · Cologuard is a noninvasive stool-based screening test for colorectal cancer that works by detecting specific DNA alterations and blood abnormalities that have an association with the...
Nov 8, 2022 · 3 min read. Testing yourself for colon cancer is now easier and more accurate. Cologuard is a do-it-yourself kit that allows you to collect your stool sample in the privacy of your home. The...
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related to: color guard colon cancer screeningLook for a Shared Cancer Signal Across 50+ Types of Cancer. Learn How. Offer Patients the Cutting-Edge Cancer Screening They Want With This MCED Test.
Frequent Questions For Physicians About Colorectal Cancer. HER2+ mCRC Treatment Option. An FDA-Approved HER2+ mCRC Treatment Option. Learn More Today.
HCPs: New Treatment For Metastatic Solid Tumors Including Colorectal Cancer. View Data. This Biomarker May Be A Potential Driver Of Disease Progression. Learn More.
