Prior to the development of Cologard I had colonoscopy and it showed one pre-cancerous polyp, so I have to have q 5 year colonoscopy.

it probably won't be too long before insurance companies only will pay for colonoscopies for those of use deemed at high risk.

Colonoscopy, in my opinion would be the best way to go because if there is a polyp they are all ready in there and I wouldn't trust the poo test to tell if you have a polyp. Also, that power nap is the best ever!

Wife says insurance doesn't cover it.

This year I turned fitty so I plan to go old school as listed here for the first one. Had a couple folks my age or younger even die from colon cancer. Don't want that.

HK Ag

Its easy, just do it. Everyone gets freaked out but you wont feel a thing.

Cologard might just tell you that you need one anyway.

Get scoped. I've had 3, 1st 2 found benign polyps, third was clear.

I'm not familiar with cologuard, will it identify if polyps are present?

quote:

Originally posted by SpinZone:
I'm not familiar with cologuard, will it identify if polyps are present?

My understanding is that it will not detect a truly benign polyp, but will detect a pre-cancerous lesion. Part of the effectiveness is based on screening every three years. That tiny lesion that is turning pre-cancerous is potentially caught 7 years before the next colonoscopy would be done.

You do have the tinfoil hat. It is hard to imagine that a medical lab is actually going to do anything nefarious with your DNA.

Do you plan to commit crimes that someone will need to match to you with DNA? If not, what could the risk to you be.

But the risk of anesthesia is real. And the time lost.

No choice in my mind, unless you like having things up your butt. No judgment.

I'm guessing some people who opt for the cologuard are actually nervous/scared about having the colonoscopy. They won't admit it of course.

I was one of those people until I had my first colonoscopy. Once they give you the milk of amnesia you have a great nap and wake up wondering when the procedure is gonna start.

Even assuming cologuard can detect polyps all that means is a date for the colonoscopy. Why go through the prep twice?

Maybe trust your doc. If you trust him enough to put you under and go exploring, trust him on the advice he offers for which procedure would be best for you. Everyone is different and have different risks. Your doctor knows your medical history better than we do.

On a personal note, I've had polyps removed and wouldn't consider a colonoscopy alternative until I've had several polyp free colonoscopies and even then, only if my gastroenterologist confidently assures me the alternative is appropriate.

quote:

Originally posted by RogB:

Even assuming cologuard can detect polyps all that means is a date for the colonoscopy. Why go through the prep twice?

There is no prep for Cologuard, zero risk, and no lost time at work.

quote:

Originally posted by MNSIG:

quote:

Originally posted by RogB:

Even assuming cologuard can detect polyps all that means is a date for the colonoscopy. Why go through the prep twice?

There is no prep for Cologuard, zero risk, and no lost time at work.

Right, my mistake

Be sure to look into pay rates by your insurer for screening vs diagnostic colon examinations.

As I write this I just finished my 7th glass of prep stuff for my colonoscopy tomorrow morning. Cologuard was not mentioned to me as an option. However I’m like most and don’t really want my dna spread around like that. Today has not been as bad as I expected, I thought I would be starving by this time but I’m not.

Don’t do like I did, I put mine off for over 2 years because I said I couldn’t take the time off.

Good luck with yours.

I voted for the Colonoscopy. First because Colon Cancer run in my family. Second because every time I have had one they have found Polyps, mostly benign but there was one that was listed as Pr-Cancerous. Best to get those trimmed BEFORE they turn into Cancer.

^^^ Like Scooter, I have a history of Colon Cancer in my family. So its the cam for me.
Disgusting bonus: They gave me 5 x 7 full color, high res photos of my poop chute!
You guys wanna see them?

I can’t even imagine asking some of you how you feel about prostate cancer, vis-à-vis just draw my blood doc vs. that plus “like having things up your butt”.


It’s 2018. Huge strides in medicine in past decades. Use all your weapons to stay alive. If not for you, for yours.

I put off having a colonoscopy until I was 59, 4 years past my doctor's recommendation. I was damn lucky I did, because they found one polyp, and the tip of it proved cancerous.

I feel that I was lucky, as I remained fully alert during the procedure and saw what the doctor saw. My question to him after the procedure was why didn't it bleed when they cut it off---answer was the loop cauterized it as it cut.

I'm on a 2 year redo, as I am now considered at risk. No fear here, as I thought the whole process was a piece of cake.

Go for the real deal, at least for the first one, so you know where your at to begin with.

quote:

Originally posted by YooperSigs:
You guys wanna see them?

No thank you!

'Scope, it is. I'm thinking at least for the first time, as someone mentioned -- to get a baseline. I can't say I'm looking forward to the purge, but you guys make the nap sound like a wicked good thing!