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Anyone have a positive Cologuard test?
Colorectal Cancer | Last Active: Dec 9 3:11pm | Replies (215)Comment receiving replies
I had a colonscopy in 03 Was o k Again in 13 Was fine Now I am eighty and tech at clinic thought she was being easy on me so said I should have cologuard. I had seen that little blue and white box marching around the yard and pool and was not too impressed but I caved in anyway. I know I have internal hemorroids and bleed sometimes Not often. But Cologuard test was positive and said it sensed adenoma or colon cancer. Thanks for being real candid about everything which told me nothing specific. Just got to have colonscopy anyway which I should have insisted on in the first place. I am worried and am trying to search on internet and every piece of info I can find to see what my chance of having cancer is. What made it worse is they emailed me and told me but the link only lasted for 24 hrs Considering the test cost 500 to 600 dollars that was not much for my money. My aprn that I had been going to is sick and was in the midst changing to a doctor I had formerly. Getting records changed over and the anxiety it is causing is really nerve wracking. I am crying one day and being bold the next day and hoping I can get scheduled for the colonscopy soon. I will never take or reccomend the colorguard test to anyone.
Replies to "I had a colonscopy in 03 Was o k Again in 13 Was fine Now I..."
I agree with you mostly….if one is without symptoms and absolutely cannot for cost or ins. reasons have a colonoscopy than perhaps cologuard is ok.
I had a colonoscopy 12 years ago and did cologuard 3 years ago (both fine). My GP said to just take another cologuard test in the interim until I went for another colonoscopy. It came back positive about a month ago. I was freaking out. I managed to see a gastro within two weeks but was told I’d have to wait 6 weeks for the colonoscopy! That’s a long time to worry! But I was lucky, they had a cancellation so I am now done with the test and I am fine. It was a false positive.
I would say if you are due, skip the cologuard and just schedule the colonoscopy. The use of cologuard is so suspect because of many false positives and negatives!
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mistscout2013 Welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect. I'm sorry you have had a poor experience so far. There seems to be questions about what Medicare or insurance might cover for colon cancer screening.
From the medicare site, they offer this informstion:
https://www.medicare.gov/coverage/colonoscopies
From assurance.com:
"Cologuard is covered for Medicare beneficiaries as a preventive screening under Medicare Parts A and B, so Medicare Advantage plans will also provide coverage under those terms.
However, as Medicare Advantage is offered by private insurance companies approved by Medicare, many plans include extended benefits. For example, some Medicare Advantage plans cover stool DNA tests more frequently than Original Medicare’s three-year requirement, as well as follow-up appointments and tests for those who need it.
Look into your Medicare Advantage plan’s details to see if your policy offers extended stool DNA test benefits, or speak with a trusted agent to find a plan that does."
Personally, the last time I had a colonoscopy, the preparation took a terrible toll on my body, as I am a kidney disease patient, and the medication used took me to my knees, literally and figuratively. It has now been 9 years since that experience, and I know I should get some kind of testing done!
I hope you will let us know you had a false positive in that Cologuard test.
Ginger