Anyone have a positive Cologuard test?

I want to hear from someone who was diagnosed AFTER they were having symptoms & what there outcome was.

Hi @bjmc, I moved your messages to this existing discussion about the Cologuard test.
- Anyone have a positive Cologuard test? https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/anyone-have-a-positive-cologuard-test/

I did this so you can read previous posts and connect easily with other members like @foreigngoddess @pstevens2987 @nlg @mothermary1 @jakedduck1 @gmaha67 and others.

@bjmc, I'm not sure who among the members in this discussion group also had symptoms before getting the test. It sounds like you made the right choice to get the Cologuard test since the positive status of the test along with possible symptoms resulted in your getting a colonoscopy appointment sooner.

I can imagine you're scared. But as someone who has had pre-cancerous polyps and a father who had colon cancer, I can tell you that colon cancer progresses very slowly. Getting tested and the colonoscopy is the best thing you can do for your health right now. It may discover a GI issue or nothing at all. IF there is cancer, you can get early treatment. That's a good thing.

You're biggest job right now is to reduce your stress or not fret. That's easier said than done. What helps to distract you or calm you down?

Just reading your reply helped calm me down. Thank you for that.

@bjmc
My positive tests have been because of blood from a hemorrhoid, diverticulosis, and polyps, no biggie. It doesn't help to worry about the unknown.
Keep a positive thought.
Regardless of who you need to see or what test or what preparation that you have to go through don’t put it off.
Take care,
Jake

Thank you for the reassurance. You’re absolutely right.

Hi bjmc,

I am 53yo female and had symptoms for much longer than 5mos. After dr visits and an ER visit, X-rays, and ct scan I was told I had an impacted bowel and a guess that it could be IBS. Decided to go to a GI dr and she also guessed IBS, but said since I had never had a colonoscopy I should get one. If you have not had a colonoscopy let me relieve your fears, it’s nothing. The idea of it is far worse than the process. But for me I woke up with the news that the dr could not complete the colonoscopy because of a tumor blocking my sigmoid colon. I am 9 weeks out from a Colectomy where they removed 12” of my sigmoid colon. I had a stage 2 adenocarcinoma. No cancer was found in my lymph nodes. I did not have to do any chemo or radiation. I will have to get tests every 6 months for awhile and colonoscopies more frequently than most people. But I’ll take it! I am healing well and cannot believe how much better I feel and how long I actually lived with the symptoms.
It is scary. But you are ahead of the game already. Try and have a positive attitude because that does help. Expect the best outcome and know that you can get through whatever it is you need to do.

Thank you for your reply. It was really helpful. Your story was exactly what I needed to hear right now. Thank you.

I just got my postitive Cologuard test result today. I am an asian male 49 years old. I do not have any symptoms, but did the test because my wife did it a few weeks back. Since this morning, it is a dreaded long day. It came as a suprised and I was not ready for that at all. I am waiting unil Tuesday to make an appintment for a Colonoscopy. Waiting is a exhuasting. I know it is crazy to say it...but whenver I see my wife and two young kids (one is just 10 years), I am literaly crying without showing it.

The test is not 100% accurate. My Cologuard test results came back negative but after completing that test my doctor suggested I have a colonoscopy which I did. The colonoscopy showed stage 4 colon cancer. I had no symptoms.

Interestingly when I had a CAT scan several years ago since I had lots of digestive problems the radiologist picked up that I had a mucinous neoplasm of the appendix incidentally. My gastroenterologist at the time advised me that these neoplasms are precancerous and need to be removed so I ended up having an appendectomy. Fortunately when they removed it it was self-contained and had no cancer cells. I was told and read that they are fairly rare but when it happens to you statistics don't matter. I hope by now you have finalized a diagnosis and feel much better.