Cologuard Positive

First, get your Cologuard report.  It is your report, and they should show it to you.  It may just say positive or negative, I do not know.  Get the kit and use it, no downside.  BUT ff you have any family history or over (or approaching) the age of 50, get the colonoscopy.  

You can go for an MRI first if you like first (keeping in mind radiation etc.), but colonscopy is better.  Even if you do not have a family history or are younger, the colonscopy is still something to consider.  Having a possible false negative and not taking action as compared to having your mind put at ease (or catching something for sure) may be worth it.  Colonoscopy prep is not a ton of fun, but worth it.  If I could go back in time and have a colonscopy done a year or two earlier, I would.  It is pretty low risk.

Lastly, you may want to find another doctor if you are arguing with them.  Their job is to guide and advise (sounds like it was heated with reluctance comment.)

Get the colonoscopy either way. When they go in they'll remove any polyps so you really reduce you're chances of getting colon cancer in the future. My husband had it done about a year ago and he had two polyps that were precancerous.

I can't answer a question about the test because I didn't do either one. I always had blood in my stool because of having IBS for years. So I didn't bother. I realize now that if I'd have done the test and they'd have seen the blood they'd have got me in for the colonoscopy much sooner. I waited seven months to get in. I look back now and wish I'd done it. Hindsight is twenty-twenty, of course.

Good luck with everything.

Jan

BL,

I am a 2 year survivor of Stage 3 metastatic uterine cancer. 
I take the Cologuard test each year because uterine cancer is related to colon cancer,
and I had a 5cm metastatic tumor on my outer rectum.

The Cologuard test is more accurate than the fecal blood test. It tests for a tumor
marker called vimentin. Vimentin was found in my uterine tumor according to my
pathology report and I was initially diagnosed with Stage 3 cancer.

I would ask you doctor to find out if they found blood or vimentin in your specimen,
since the report results just say positive or negative.

If you look at the book they send with the test, it indicataes a positive result means that
they detected abnornal DNA (vimentin) and/or blood that could be caused by precancer or
cancer in the colon.

This test is a good test to use to tell you if you need to get a colonoscopy.
It would probably be a good idea to get one.  

Perhaps you should repeat the Cologuard test while you are waiting
for your colonoscopy appointment. Perhaps you also might test your blood
for CA19-9 (used for colon, liver and pancreatic cancer). I get many blood tests as I
would like a warning before I jump into more invasive testing.

Best of luck.

Takingcontrol58

BL53931 said:

Update

I got into the other place for a colonscopy next week, on my birthday. Great way to spend it but it needs to be done.  I decided I have a good chance of getting a positive on the blood test anyway and why waste time? 

Will update if anyone is interested. 

That is the reason we are here. To help you,to help each other, in any way possible. 

Of course, we hope you make only one more post here, telling us they found no Cancer. That will make us all very happy. 

TRU

Sorry could not resist, but decorum changes a bit when dealing with colon stuff  Besides it will make you feel better.  Glad to hear it is all good so far.  So much better to put your mind at ease about this all. 

BL53931 said:

Followup

My doctor called yesterday. Turns out I misunderstood about the one polyp being partly removed, they were not able to extract any of it. I am being referred to a colorectal secialst and they will want to go in AGAIN and get that one out. My doctor did again say he does not believe it is precancerous, this would be just a precaution. This means I will need to go trough the whole pre-op again.   

My thinkng is I should do this but not for awhile. Perhaps in a  couple of months, this is just too much to go through all over again so soon. Any thoughts? 

You have to do what you feel is best for your situation. If they think the polyp is not pre-cancerous, then their is probably no hurry. 

As for going through it over again, I know where you're coming from. I had three colonoscopies in two months. I was heartily sick of them, and now it is time for me to get antoher one, I confess that, even though I know I should, I just don't want to do it again. 

I am glad to hear that your Doctor thinks there is no evidence of Cancer. Take this 'fright' as a chance to maybe better your eating and exercise habits, and enjoy life to its fullest. 

I wish you luck in the future. 

TRU

My suggestion would be that you get yourself a second or third opinion on this.  Chances are you'll get three different answers and be even more confused, but when that happens, then you have to go with your gut instincts. 

TRU

Interventional Radiology

Do yourself a favor and get an appointment with an Interventional Radiologist in your area. They specialize in minimal invasive surgery, RFA, and have technology most general surgeons do not have.

Your insurance should cover the costs, and you generally do not need a "referral"; mileage will vary.

It appears you're running into brick walls; this might be your escape route!

Good luck and better health,

John

(In Google search bar, type: Interventional Radiologist  double space and your zip code)