Anyone have a positive Cologuard test?

Posted by dazlin @dazlin, Nov 21, 2019

My test results came back positive. I asked what did it show, because they test for 11 different cancers or categories. They said, it just states either negative or positive for cancer. I had problems a few years back and did a colonoscopy, which came back ok. Now this!! I'm reading theres a 13 percent chance of false positive. Right now I'm extremely distraught about having to go through all Consults, tests, and dreaded preps. Orders are in for Consult with gastro, but they're booked out through January or February in Mayo. I have not received any notice for appointment yet. Dont know what to think or do.

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Colorectal Cancer Support Group.

Hi - so just to clarify did you have a positive cologuard test? Colitis is not the same as colon cancer, since colitis can be any irritation or inflammation of the colon but not cancer. Certain autoimmune diseases like Crohn's disease can involve colitis as well. Also just because stool is dark It doesn't mean that it contains blood, so try not to jump to conclusions or worry about it until you have a cologuard test and if positive, then have your colonoscopy and take it step by step. Try not to worry

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This was my 2nd colonguard test. The 1st one over 8 years ago was fine.. so now, new Dr and low platelets count called for another one. Waiting for my appointment on Sept 11th of all days. Haven't posted anything yet but I'm not sure if this is the appropriate forum for my question. So here it goes, I have recently been having dark colored what I call wipes, I've looked for blood with no blood seen. Does this necessarily mean it is internal bleeding maybe?? I've read everything about it and still no one has said anything about it. I've had a aunt " my mother's sister" and a cousin or two with colitis she the aunt died from colon cancer is that the same as colitis? Any help no matter the size is appreciated

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I did a Cologuard and received a positive result June 10. I see the Dr on July 31 I assume to get colonoscopy scheduled. I am curious I had a CT scan with contrast in August of last year for kidney stone issue. In the report it indicates that the bowel appears normal. This does provide some relief I have to admit.should it? I am pretty scared about all this as well. It’s hard not to think about.

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What a great thread. I did a cologuard test since I couldn’t get a ride there and back for my colonoscopy. It came back positive so I did talk to a friend about getting a ride and she had a friend visiting who offered to do it immediately. Definitely pays to at least discuss it with friends. My colonoscopy is in October which is totally ok with me because I really like that doctor. I am a bit concerned but not worried because I feel fine. I will update on this thread after I get my exam. Much thanks to Mayo Clinic for this wonderful thread and I’d like to ad that I really wish the rules would be changed to allow getting an uber to your colonoscopy. I really think the rules are overboard for those of us that rely on uber if we are not allowed to drive because of the anesthesia. I imagine there are quite a few people that it would help get to their exam and back.

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@amydema

Thank you so much for your kindness I am researching doctors at nyu. I am nervous about undergoing surgery and anesthesia. But, on the otherhand I don't want to be awake

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Actually, you may not want or need anesthesia. I found it very useful to be interactive with the doctor. Watched the whole process on a big screen TV in front of me quite fascinating! Was able to ask questions and get important information

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@roywalton

Only 5% of cologuard positives actually result in cancer. That being said just work through the process, have the colonoscopy as soon as you can just remember it's all part of life!

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Thank you so much for your kindness I am researching doctors at nyu. I am nervous about undergoing surgery and anesthesia. But, on the otherhand I don't want to be awake

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@roywalton

Only 5% of cologuard positives actually result in cancer. That being said just work through the process, have the colonoscopy as soon as you can just remember it's all part of life!

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i am a 72 year old , non smoking , healthy man, with no cancer history. i had
a positive cologuard, and the most stressful part of it, was the fact i could not get to my colonoscopy for a couple months.

but i had the colonoscopy and i had, blessidly a couple non cancerous polyps.

in retrospect i realize it is better to have a false positive with cologuard than
a false negative.

when i got my bill, i was charged for the polyp removal. it is extra. i asked the
doctor at my follow up if i could have the polyps restored, to save the charge?
just kidding.

Good luck

Sam Cohen
Highlands, North Carolina

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@amydema

I just received a positive result on my cologuard. I am very nervous

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Only 5% of cologuard positives actually result in cancer. That being said just work through the process, have the colonoscopy as soon as you can just remember it's all part of life!

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@gmaha67

Had a cologuard come back negative at age 52. Now at age 55 had a positive Cologuard guard. 😟 Worried that a cancer has developed in that time.

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I just received a positive result on my cologuard. I am very nervous

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@suzb214

I promised myself I'd loop back here and post in this thread after my recent colonoscopy since reading the comments helped me so much through my waiting period from getting an abnormal Cologuard result to my colonoscopy.

I decided to do a Cologuard for ease and didn't want the invasive procedure of a Colonoscopy. Plus, I hate being put under for anything, so I took the easy road. My Cologuard came back abnormal but luckily, I only had to wait less than 2 weeks for my procedure. But boy was it a stressful two weeks! Like many of you, I constantly worried and read everything I could find on colon cancer. It was a VERY rough time.

Well, I made it through the prep (I did the 2 bottles prep) but only barely. My prep was horrible. I got so dehydrated and had a jackhammer in my head. I also got sick on the way to hospital so instead of a twilight sleep I had to be intubated under general anesthesia. I won't go into the prep anymore here and will save that for another thread but advice to all of you - drink a TON of water to stay hydrated.

I cried up to being knocked out because I was so scared to hear the results. Luckily, it turned out I had 2 polyps. One small but one was fairly large at 15mm and flat and had to be piecemealed out. Due to that, I need to repeat the procedure a year from now just to make sure all of the polyp was out. But my doctor isn't worried, and I can breathe a sigh of relief. She thinks after next year if everything looks good, I won't have to repeat for another 3-5 years.

So, the Cologuard did do what it was supposed to do. It accurately showed that something was up and that something was polyps. In that regard, I'm glad I did it. But the worry I went through between the test and colonoscopy was overwhelming. In hindsight, I wish I had just gone in for the colonoscopy. I recommend just doing that to decrease the worry-factor. Yes, the prep is a pain (and in my case, really hard) but in the end, getting my polyps found and removed was a blessing.

Hope this helps some of you out there who are in the place I was at. Best of luck!

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Sorry to hear you had a horrible experience with the prep, @suzb214 . Glad to hear that they found those two polyps and nothing more.

Will they do a biopsy of what they took out anyway?

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