quote:

Originally posted by mrvmax:

All I know is that if you have ever had a colonoscopy you cannot use it.

My primary care doc ordered Cologuard for me, and he knew full well that I had had a colonoscopy; we discussed Cologuard as an alternative to another colonoscopy.

I did it last year and no further testing was recommended.

quote:

My primary care doc ordered Cologuard for me, and he knew full well that I had had a colonoscopy; we discussed Cologuard as an alternative to another colonoscopy.

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
There are more risks with a colonoscopy at your age. That is my guess.

I've done it twice. The second time I was due I told the Doc I was ok with getting the full treatment to get a good look inside and he told me Cologuard was all I needed to do.

Are you considered to be at risk for colon cancer? If you have no family history and never had anything like pre-cancerous polyps, you are probably a good candidate for Cologuard. However, I am not at risk in any way, but my doctor insisted that I do the colonoscopy because I passed the 50 mark. I have had one; it was clear and the doctor said he would see me in 10 years, but my doctor still says to do the colonoscopy, instead of the Cologuard, when the 10 year anniversary occurs. That could just be his personal preference.

The colonoscopy itself is a breeze. It is the prep that is the literal pain in the ass. You go in early in the morning, they knock you out and that is it. The next thing you know, you are waking up, and your doctor is sitting there, kind of slumped back in his chair, smoking a cigarette and staring off into space with this far away, dreamy look in his eyes.


Seriously, the best part for me is having my wife pick me up afterward and we go for a big pancake breakfast to end the 24 hour fast.


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If you need a laugh, NSFW

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5sDmms-WmD8

quote:

Originally posted by WaterburyBob:
My primary physician did not recommend Cologuard. He didn't think it was sensitive enough or accurate enough.

Same with me, she's a geriatric MD and she said a colonoscopy is more accurate and time tested. But she recommended Cologuard for those who simply did not want a colonoscopy. I've had two colonoscopies, the last one a couple of years ago, no issues, just a single polyp 2-3mm in size. I'm good for another 10 years. Both were painless, hassle free. But then both times I was knocked out with propofol, a really effective drug in this procedure.

I've had 4 scopes, first at 50, second 1 year f/u, 3 and 4 3 years apart. I'm on the 10 year plan since 4 was clean as a whistle. I will most likely be on Medicare for any subsequent testing, cologuard and/ or wet biopsies will be my path going forward. Diet is everything. No seed oils or processed "food". They now recommend the first at 45. If you can, get the colonoscopy to see what has developed in your first 4+ decades of your "standard American diet".

quote:

Originally posted by SigSentry:
If you can, get the colonoscopy to see what has developed in your first 4+ decades of your "standard American diet".

And order a few wallet-sized glossies for close friends and family, maybe a couple 5" X 7" for the family room and living room.


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quote:

Originally posted by BurtonRW:

quote:

Originally posted by FiveFiveSixFan:
I did the Cologuard test recently and found that it came with excellent instructions and great packaging which made sending the samples back a breeze.

Thankfully, my test was not positive.

That’s great. Assuming it wasn’t a false negative, how many polyps did it find? Oh… That’s right. Cologuard can’t find and remove polyps, It can only tell you after you’ve let them grow so large they’ve already become cancerous.

Yay, cologuard.

-Rob

I'm a bit puzzled by your post. As someone who is totally unfamiliar with my medical history and what tests may or may not be appropriate for me and why, your response seems to be both mocking and antagonistic.

The OP asked a question in his original post which I attempted to answer. I'm sorry that my response seems to have triggered you in some way.

quote:

Originally posted by V-Tail:

quote:

Originally posted by mrvmax:

All I know is that if you have ever had a colonoscopy you cannot use it.

My primary care doc ordered Cologuard for me, and he knew full well that I had had a colonoscopy; we discussed Cologuard as an alternative to another colonoscopy.

Perhaps my memory is wrong, maybe he said I could not use that since they found polyps in the past. I do not recall for sure, I now that I could not use that.

quote:

Originally posted by WaterburyBob:
My primary physician did not recommend Cologuard. He didn't think it was sensitive enough or accurate enough.

95% isn't sensitive enough? That seems pretty good to me, especially when you get another test in three years vs ten.

The problem with Cologuard is that it does not really prevent cancer, it mostly detects it by blood and altered DNA in the stool. But a colonoscopy can prevent cancer by detecting pre-cancerous polyps, small and large with a camera and trained physician. My only polyp detected was less than 3mm in size, pre-cancerous (hyperplastic), and Cologuard would not have detected this. There is a reason the medical community calls the colonoscopy the "Gold Standard". More info here: https://www.gastroconsa.com/th...out-cologuard-tests/

quote:

Originally posted by TigerDore:

quote:

Originally posted by SigSentry:
If you can, get the colonoscopy to see what has developed in your first 4+ decades of your "standard American diet".

And order a few wallet-sized glossies for close friends and family, maybe a couple 5" X 7" for the family room and living room.


.

Funny you say that, I asked for the glossy prints of each section and they mailed it to me. My colon is great, maybe the greatest ever. I was a little worried since the prep wasn't complete until late the night before.

I have done the test twice, two years apart.

Both times my results were clean.

quote:

Originally posted by SigSentry:
Funny you say that, I asked for the glossy prints of each section and they mailed it to me. My colon is great, maybe the greatest ever. I was a little worried since the prep wasn't complete until late the night before.

Yes, a dirty colon could have been embarrassing.


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quote:

Originally posted by oddball:My only polyp detected was less than 3mm in size, pre-cancerous (hyperplastic), and Cologuard would not have detected this. There is a reason the medical community calls the colonoscopy the "Gold Standard".

Cologuard actually detects 74% of high risk precancerous polyps. Do you think a medical organization comprised of members who make their living doing colonoscopies might have a reason to call it that?

My wife got an unsolicited Cologard box from our insurance provider a week or so ago. She had an appointment with her primary care doctor today and she mentioned receiving it and the doctor's recommendation was throw it in the trash. If the results come back positive, you'll have to get a colonoscopy at your expense to verify the results from the mail order test. Just get a real test scheduled thru your physician.

quote:

Originally posted by 64dodge:If the results come back positive, you'll have to get a colonoscopy at your expense to verify the results from the mail order test. Just get a real test scheduled thru your physician.

Not true. Insurance companies are now required to pay for a colonoscopy after a positive Cologuard.