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Cologuard positive. Can I have a colonoscopy 8 months after radiation?
Yesterday I found out my Cologuard test result for colorectal cancer was positive. I'm 73 years old, no history of colorectal cancer. Previous Cologuard test three years ago was negative. Gleason 9 diagnosed in August 2024, limited to prostate, finished 28 sessions of IMRT radiation early April 2025, been on Orgovyx since that time. Blood results two weeks ago: PSA less than 0.04, testosterone less than 1, white blood count 2.1 (2,100). Been researching whether it's advisable to have a colonoscopy 8 months or so after IMRT radiation. Will contact my primary care physician, urologist, and radiation oncologist for their advice. I welcome your thoughts, suggestions, recommendations. Thank you.
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My wife had a virtual colonoscopy some years back. I think they used a CT scan. Of course, if something is seen you'll probably need a regular one to remove whatever they see (assuming they don't need to do surgery). I'm not a medical professional so I have no idea if it's use is indicated in your case, but you might ask your doctor to see if it's an option for you. Best wishes.
@johnny8924
When I was preparing for my 30 rounds of radiation at UFHPTI they required you to have a colonoscopy within 3 years of radiation start date.
Reason was that even with proton radiation the secondary damage to colon can occur and having a colonoscopy poses possibility of concern with a damaged colon and increase chance of bleeding.
You are doing the right thing by have your medical team discuss this and get back to you. They are the ones to guide you on this. It maybe worth the risk of having a colonoscopy with a positive Cologuard but that needs to come from your medical professional experts.
Does a positive Cologuard mean cancer seen or does it mean just blood found? I was told by my Mayo PCP that Mayo is the one who developed the Cologuard test.
Good luck!!
Cologuard's ads say you might experience false positives AND negatives.
Then what's the point of using it?
I am having a flexible sigmoidoscopy 11 months out , it is less intrusive and my RO has approved. Normally no colonoscopies for 1 year past radiation.