Anyone have a positive Cologuard test?

Posted by dazlin @dazlin, Nov 21, 2019

My test results came back positive. I asked what did it show, because they test for 11 different cancers or categories. They said, it just states either negative or positive for cancer. I had problems a few years back and did a colonoscopy, which came back ok. Now this!! I'm reading theres a 13 percent chance of false positive. Right now I'm extremely distraught about having to go through all Consults, tests, and dreaded preps. Orders are in for Consult with gastro, but they're booked out through January or February in Mayo. I have not received any notice for appointment yet. Dont know what to think or do.

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Hello. I had a positive cologuard come back positive. Having colonoscopy done this Monday. A little worried. My last cologuard was negative 3 years ago.

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I had a positive test but was from diverticulosis and a few polyps.
No big deal.
Don't think the worst.
Stay positive!!!
Good luck,
Jake

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@gmaha67

Had a cologuard come back negative at age 52. Now at age 55 had a positive Cologuard guard. 😟 Worried that a cancer has developed in that time.

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Welcome @gmaha67. I'm with @jakedduck1 about not leaping to the worst-case scenario. The fact that the Cologuard came back positive can be see as a good thing. Let me explain.

Colorectal cancer grows VERY slowly. It is unlikely that you have developed an advanced stage of cancer in the time between your two Cologuard tests. It is possible that the test picked up on your having benign or possibly pre-cancerous polyps.

As I wrote to @msrhray, getting a positive result from your Cologuard test is worrisome. But try to not worry until further investigations are done. It is possible that the Cologuard result is a false-positive, meaning there is no pre-cancer or cancer present. It may only signify that you have a benign polyp or pre-cancerous polyp. Colon cancer can be stopped in its tracks. It's good that you took the first step for detection.

Polyps are very common. I have had 2 colonoscopies and each time they removed both a benign and a pre-cancerous polyp. I have a colonscopy every 3 years and have never had cancer.

Do you have any questions about preparing for your colonoscopy?

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I had a false positive cologuard. My first, at 55, was negative. The second, at 58, was positive. That result I received via email. There was some small print that basically said 4% of positive cologuard results = CRC. The rest (51%) are either polyps (benign or pre-cancerous) or "no colorectal neoplasia" (45%). My colonoscopy found nothing at all. From the positive result to the procedure was exactly one month.

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@msrhray

My first cologuard test has come back positive and I am to see the gastro 4/16- I can totally relate to what you were feeling. TY for sharing. Yours is the first post I came to since my results came back today.

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The 2 polyps removed were precancerous.

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I am in my late 70's and had a negative cologuard last year. This year I began bleeding insidiously..
CT revealed a thickened wall and puckering in the right colon. Colonoscopy revealed a 5 cm cancer that my GI doctor assured me was there the year before. The right hemicolectomy was not a big deal and I didn't require chemo. No risk factors nor family members with cancer.
Moral of the story... cancer does it's own thing.

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I am 82. I had a colonoscopy at age 70 and it was normal. I just had a stool test and it came back positive and the doctor recommended a colonoscopy. I have been told that it may be dangers at my age. Any ideas about options? Thanks, Thomas

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Same here. Negative 3 years and now a positive. Colonoscopy on Jan 9th. Doesn't stop the worry though.

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@jmsharp

Same here. Negative 3 years and now a positive. Colonoscopy on Jan 9th. Doesn't stop the worry though.

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@jmsharp, hopefully the upcoming holidays will help distract you from the upcoming colonoscopy and positive Cologuard test. It is possible that the Cologuard result is a false-positive, meaning there is no pre-cancer or cancer present. It may only signify that you have a benign polyp or pre-cancerous polyp.

Have you had a colonoscopy before?

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I also have Positive Cologard result after 3 yrs ago testing Neg. Does anyone know if they give a positive result based on presence of blood with no evidence of altered DNA?

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