Anyone have a positive Cologuard test?

@klesab, how did your colonoscopy go?

Hi,
I had a positive Cologuard test 3 years ago, needed to get my 1st colonoscopy and they found a over 20 pre-cancer polyps that they removed and tested. I thought that was it, but they suggested that i get another colonoscopy a year later that also found more polyps. That's when my Gastro highly encouraged getting genetic testing for AFAP (attenuated familial adenomatous polyposis) . That's also came back positive. If the polyps are not removed then there is a 70% chance that they will become cancer. Cologuard was a blessing in some aspects because I may have never known. Now I am REALLY having a hard time finding any physicians that know anything about this Hereditary Cancer Syndrome and what I should be doing about it besides regular 6 months - 1 year colonoscopies., and thyroid ultrasounds. As far as I know, there is still no actual cancer. Its supposed to be better to know earlier when it can still be prevented.

Thank you for your post and update. I had a negative test a little over 3 years ago and a positive test this week. Luckily I have my scope next week but I’m terrified.

It's also in 2 lymph nodes.

Bummer! My husband just had a regular scheduled colonoscopy. No symptoms. His came back positive for rectal cancer. He had surgery & a temporary bag. Is now waiting to have chemo. I dread it for him. He is recovering well from the surgery, but hates the bag!

I had to send mine in and let them read it. They contacted me, said I had blood in my stool, and would need a colonoscopy, so I did. It was precancerous polyp & they removed it. Told me to come back in 3 years.

I had a cologuard test. It came back positive for blood in the stool, not necessarily cancer. They made me have a colonoscopy because of it. I had one. It came back with one precancerous polyp. They removed it and told me to retest in 3 years.

My husband had a positive colo test. He said 13% chance of false positive ? Rather than panic or worry, he ignored it. He is still ok after the 6 years . He says , don’t go looking for a medical problem unless you feel bad . At his age (76) you will always find something. I say feel as good as you can as long as you can . No one lasts forever . And every death is not a disaster.

I had a colonoscopy back in 2013. After that I had 2 cologuards 2017,2020. Both were negative.

In summer 2024 I started to feel a change in bowel habits.
Finally had a colonoscopy in November. I had diverticulitis with a stricture and needed a bowel resection quickly..
I’m thankful all pathology was negative but I tell my story because if I had a colonoscopy back in 2020 I may have discovered I had diverticulitis and could have changed up my diet and maybe could have avoided surgery.

As cologuard is a great, less invasive option I think it’s best to do it ever other time your scheduled for a colonoscopy.
Nothing is better detecting problems than a colonoscopy.

This is actually a very complex topic. To answer the question fully it would take a lot more space than just this forum. Remember that Cologuard represents The best screening assay available and the company is rolling out a new improved version that will be even better. But it's not a black and white world. Polyps can be benign or several grades of precancer leading to cancer, which can only be determined bye colonoscopy and a histopath examination of the tissue. When most people, me included, get a positive color guard, we want to grab onto information such as "well, only 5% of cologuard positives actually result in cancer diagnosis".. examination of available research data this past week shows that this five or 6% number is no longer being reported but rather data is shown for various age classes of individuals. I think it's comforting to think that cologuard is a wonderful screening assay to get you into see a doctor and have a colonoscopy and start the path to better health. All I know is my cologuard in May of 2023 gave me new life!