Cologuard colon cancer test

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Colon cancer is treatable, but early detection is an important part of the survival rate of those with the disease. Colon cancer detected at its earliest stage has a survival rate of 90% 5 years after diagnosis. One of the current methods of colon cancer screening is Cologuard. This is a test that detects abnormal DNA and traces of blood in your stool. This article will help you understand more information surrounding this test.

1. What is Cologuard Colon Cancer Test?

Cologuard is the only stool DNA screening test for colon cancer approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Cologuard has the ability to detect changes in the body's DNA. This may indicate the presence of colon cancer or possible precancerous polyps in your colon.
Cologuard is becoming more and more popular as it is a more non-invasive and much more convenient test than the traditional colonoscopy test.
Testing only a patient's stool sample is an advantage of the Cologuard test for cancer screening, but the test also has limitations, including concerns about its accuracy. This article will help you learn more about whether you should consider the Cologuard test for colon cancer screening.

2. How does the Cologuard colon cancer screening test work?

Colon cancer is the third most common cancer in the United States, with the American Cancer Society (ACS) estimating that more than 100,000 new cases will be diagnosed each year.
Even if you have no symptoms or a family history of colorectal cancer (classify your colon cancer risk as “moderate”), doctors usually recommend getting started. screen at age 45 (ACS recommendation) or 50 (US Preventive Services Task Force [USPSTF] recommendation).
Cologuard is a colon cancer screening test that identifies abnormal DNA and traces of blood in the stool that precancerous polyps and colon cancer can cause. Your doctor will need to order tests for you before you can order a Cologuard kit. You can then purchase a Cologuard test kit on the company's website or at the hospital and take it to your doctor to have the test done.
If you do the Cologuard test, here are the essential steps you should know
You will receive a kit that includes all you need to collect a stool sample without direct contact with the stool mine. Kit includes: one rack and collection bin, one probe and test tube set, storage solution that will preserve your samples during transit, and a prepaid shipping label to send the box back to the room experiment. Using a special holder and collection bin that comes with the kit, place them over the toilet bowl and defecate directly into the collection bin. Using a plastic probe that comes with the kit, also take a stool sample from the stool and place it in a specially sterilized tube. Pour the preservative solution included in the kit onto your stool sample and screw the cap back on tightly. Fill out the form requesting your personal information, including the date and time your form was collected. Place all collected samples and information back in the Cologuard box and return it to the laboratory within 24 hours.

3. How much does the Cologuard colon cancer screening test cost?

Cologuard is covered by many health insurance companies, including Medicare. If you qualify (ages 50 to 75) for colon cancer screening, you can get Cologuard at no cost. If you don't have insurance or if your insurance doesn't cover it, Cologuard's maximum cost is $649.

4. Who should be tested for Cologuard?

The target population for the Cologuard test is people at average risk and should be tested for colon cancer regularly.
USPSTF recommends that adults in the United States between the ages of 50 and 75 get regular colon cancer screening. The ACS recommendation is to start screening at age 45. If you are at high risk for colon cancer because of your family history, any genetic mutations, ethnicity, or other known risk factors, talk to your doctor about starting screening earlier. .

5. Results of the Cologuard . test

After the laboratory evaluates your stool sample, the results of the Cologuard test will be sent to your doctor. Your doctor will review the results with you and suggest next steps for further testing if needed.
Cologuard test results are simply "negative" or "positive". A negative test result indicates that no abnormal DNA or “hemoglobin biomarkers” were found in your stool sample. Simply put, it just means that the test didn't detect any signs of colon cancer or precancerous polyps in your colon
If you get a positive Cologuard result, what That means the test has detected signs of colon cancer or precancerous polyps.
False positives and false negatives both occur in Cologuard tests. According to a 2014 clinical study, approximately 13% of results from Cologuard were false positives and 8% were false negatives.
If you test positive, your doctor will recommend follow-up with a colonoscopy test

6. Cologuard test versus colonoscopy in colon cancer screening

While Cologuard and colonoscopy can both be used as screening tests, they take two different approaches and provide different information.
Cologuard tests for symptoms of colon cancer and polyps. When your doctor performs a colonoscopy, they are trying to find polyps in the colon themselves. Colonoscopy carries some low risk of complications, such as a reaction to sedation or possible bowel perforation during colonoscopy. There are no complications for the Cologuard test because it is a non-invasive test.
On the other hand, when doing the Cologuard test:
Sometimes precancerous polyps can be missed during the test, known as false negatives Often can miss detecting the presence of large polyps More There is also a higher risk of false positives, which is why Cologuard-free colonoscopy and colonoscopy can be used together to screen for colon cancer. Cologuard acts as a noninvasive first-line test for people at average risk of colon cancer.
A positive result from Cologuard indicates that further testing is needed, while those who test negative may have the option not to use additional colonoscopy screening based on the advice of doctor.

7. Benefits of Cologuard Test

The Cologuard test has a number of clear benefits over other types of testing. It can be done at home, shortening the time spent in the waiting room or in the hospital. Some people who are hesitant about colonoscopy because it often requires some sedation may also choose Cologuard.
Cologuard allows you to be examined without sedation or anesthesia. However, if your Cologuard test is abnormal, you should be followed up with an endoscopy.
Cologuard also does not require any preparation. You do not need to stop taking your medication or fast before having a Cologuard test.

8. Limitations of Cologuard test

There are some limitations to the Cologuard screening, mainly related to its accuracy.
Stool sample testing is not as accurate as colonoscopy when detecting precancerous tumors and lesions.
A false positive result can create a lot of unnecessary stress and anxiety while you wait for your next test. The high level of false positives associated with Cologuard has some doctors wary of this test.
False negatives - or lack of presence of colon cancer or polyps - can also occur. The false negative rate is higher for large polyps.
Because the Cologuard test is somewhat new, there isn't any long-term data available on how this screening will affect your long-term outlook if you have colon cancer.
Cologuard's cost is a significant hurdle if you don't have insurance that covers this type of screening.

9. Conclusion.

Colon cancer is treatable, but early detection is an important part of the survival rate of those with the disease. Colon cancer detected at its earliest stage has a survival rate of 90% 5 years after diagnosis.
Once colon cancer has progressed to a later stage, the positive prognosis is drastically reduced. For these reasons, the CDC recommends screening tests every 3 years for people over age 50.
You may want to address your concerns, fears, and questions about both the colonoscopy and the Cologuard screening at your next routine visit. Don't be shy when it comes to colon cancer prevention and screening.
Start the conversation by asking about your overall risk for colon cancer based on your health history or by asking your doctor directly about Cologuard and its accuracy.
Vinmec International General Hospital is implementing a Package of Screening and Early Detection of Colorectal Cancer, implemented by a team of experienced doctors and nurses in the field of colorectal cancer diagnosis and treatment. colon, with the support of a system of modern technological equipment and facilities, full of specialized means to diagnose the disease and stage it before treatment such as: Endoscopy, CT scan, PET-CT scan, MRI, mammogram, histopathological diagnosis, gene-cell testing, ... help detect colon cancer early even when there are no symptoms.
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References: mayoclinic.org, healthline.com