Anyone have a positive Cologuard test?

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

@samdeman Welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect. That is a very good question, one that I have pondered myself! I am not sure what path you took to decide on a Cologuard test. I had my last colonoscopy in 2014, and was terribly ill from the preparation. Then had to do the procedure with no twilight sleep! At that time I made a vow to not have any more of those procedures.

As a daily dialysis patient, and active blood cancer patient under treatment, getting a read on my colon health is not high on my list. Sigh....it should be part of my 2024 resolutions, I think!

@georga35 showed a good reason for you to pursue further investigation.

Will you let us know what your upcoming consult results are, please?
Ginger

Thank you for your kind words. I have consult and test coming up.

Hi Samdeman,
Cologuard may have detected a pre-cancer situation. My husband kept refusing a colonoscopy but I finally got him to do cologuard test. He was 74 and non-smoker male. Test came back positive. He finally agreed to colonoscopy a few months later ... Which found a polyp in pre-cancer stage. Polyp removed during colonoscopy. No further issues... He was just told that he should follow up with another test in 5 years. If my husband had not done cologuard followed by colonoscopy, doc told him he would have been dealing with CRC within 5 years.
So don't delay taking action. I hope your situation is resolved easily just as it was for my husband.
Take care.

<p>I am healthy 72 year old non smoking male. I just received positive cologuard test. I have appointment with gastro doctor 7 feb. how likely do I have colo rectal cancer?</p>

I agree!

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!