Anyone have a positive Cologuard test?

Just saw your post. I guess you’ve had your colonoscopy by now and I hope all is well.
Was going to tell you that my cologuard came back positive this past November and my colonoscopy was completely normal.
My advice in general is that if you are due for your colonoscopy just do it and skip the cologuard. If it comes back positive you might have to wait quite a while to get your colonoscopy and all that worry is something nobody needs.

Hey don’t be distraught even though I know you are… I experienced the exact thing. Got a first time postive color guard test and had colonoscopy Jan. 9th. Had five polps. Okay… they found five which were removed. I had two that were precancerous and that they removed💕. Get your colonoscopy it’s NOT bad I promise good luck. I know you are so scared but prayers and hey once there out you’re feel so much better..prayers

I’m glad I don’t have to do it again - at least for screening purposes -
I have microscopic colitis so can be positive I will never need another one for diagnostic follow up, but I will go past the recommended upper age for cancer screening.

Thanks Pam. It’s really not that bad of a procedure and not worth putting off.

I’m happy you had reassuring result!!

I too had a positive Cologuard test result and had a colonoscopy done this past week. The GI removed a couple polyps and thankfully they were not malignant. They did find that I had diverticulosis which isn’t as severe as diverticulitis. The GI recommended adding more fiber to the diet.
I wasn’t too concerned about the positive test result after everything I read about the 13% false positive rate, but it’s natural to be worried. My advice……don’t even bother with a Cologuard. Just get a regular colonoscopy done. The prep process is much worse than the actual procedure and you are out like a light. No discomfort whatsoever after the procedure. Good Luck 🍀

I wasn't the normal response to a positive Cologuard test.

I had been having colon problems for several years and doctors couldn't get a handle on it. Had lots of diverticula and alternating diarrhea/constipation and a lot of pain. I knew something was terribly wrong.

So for me getting a positive Cologuard test was a glimmer of hope that they may have hit finally on something. I knew it could be bad news, but likely whatever was found would be treatable.

Second, it is almost always a good thing to know about a potential problem before it gets out of hand and too nasty to be successfully treated. That's what the Cologuard and frequent colonoscopies are intended for.

So yes, it's emotional and scary - I went through that and it's normal.
I also encourage you to consider reframing your thinking based on the information below - as a screening test, a positive Cologuard is only an indicator to do more definitive testing. Knowing the facts can greatly help with managing your feelings.

Hope this all helps.

Information From
https://www.cologuard.com/colon-cancer-screening-results
What does a positive result mean?

If you received this result:

Cologuard detected altered DNA and/or blood in your stool

This could be due to precancerous growths, colorectal cancer, or some other reason

It’s important to know that this is not the same as a cancer diagnosis

If your Cologuard test is positive and you are not experiencing symptoms, a colonoscopy is recommended to rule out cancer. Many patients with early‐stage colon cancer have no symptoms and are diagnosed through screening

False positives can occur. When you discuss your result with a healthcare provider, you will need to plan a colonoscopy to confirm your result.

They're just seems to be no way to not worry when you have a positive color guard test or screening and it seems like forever to wait even though it's 20 days from now it seems like forever probably the biggest fear I've ever had in my life never had a lot of problems so this is one big scare I had my last one two years ago and it was negative so this is a big emotional mental trauma

@samdeman I am 70, so last colonoscopy I was 56. My blood cancer is multiple myeloma.

My husband had a colonoscopy 3 years ago, with no issues. It is a good screening tool, but many people do choose to have a less invasive diagnostic method.
Ginger

what brought me to the cologuard is that it was requested by my family doctor.
i am very squeemish about this subject, in general, so would not have gone forward with it without the request of my doctor.

my consult with my doctor for the colonoscopy is feb 7. i will of course let you know the results.

how old are you and what is your cancer condition(s)?

sam