Anyone have a positive Cologuard test?

Hi @coolibrarian (I LOVE your username. I think librarians are cool), if I have the timeline right you have either had your colonoscopy or are doing the prep for it now. I had my first colonoscopy before I was 50 because of family history with colon cancer. For me it was an assurance to have it.

Just wanted to write to let you know that I’m thinking of you and am here if you have questions or just want to write.

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

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.

I received news of a positive test in July as well. I did my first test five years prior and it was negative. I have a colonoscopy scheduled in two weeks. I've been trying really hard not to worry so I keep reading everything I can get my hands on that would help ease my worries. I too have had no symptoms and find myself dreading every trip to the bathroom yet always take a good hard look before I flush! lol If anything, the positive test has forced me to get a colonoscopy at 56.... and if the results come back with little to worry about then the positive Cologuard served its purpose with me. Thanks for your posts about your experience... it has made me feel better going into the procedure. So glad yours came back just fine. 🙂

Soooooooo relieved! And a new found appreciation for being healthy!

Happy dance!

Hello and thanks for checking in. I just completed my colonoscopy yesterday. Wow that was an emotional journey for me! Thinking I might wake up to hearing I have cancer thanks to the cologuard results. But thank GOD it was a false positive! My dr said he hates the cologuard tests. I wish I wouldve just went straight for the colonoscopy, it wouldve saved days and days of severe anxiety and mental breakdowns.

@colesnotknappin, have you had the colonoscopy? How are you doing?

Yes, mine came back positive. Had the dreaded colonoscopy and get removed 5 polyps that were tested and were non-cancerous at this point. It is difficult to calm your mind. Take it one day at a time. I would suggest you get the colonoscopy.

Hi! I did a cologuard test back in December of 2022. It came back negative! In March I had surgery to remove what I thought was hemorrhoids. It turned out to be anal cancer. The worst day of my life was waking up from surgery and my husband telling me I had cancer. I have gone through chemo and radiation which was the hardest and toughest thing I have ever done! I survived and will be getting my petscan in 10 days to show I am cancer free! I am praying of course as they say my chances are 65/35% chance they got it all! I know this is very scary for you! Praying your colonoscopy shows no cancer but please know there is life after cancer!