PSA: DON'T GET THE COLOGUARD TEST!!!

[David Eastwood]

Originally Posted by Talk2Me

Maybe this is the future and some potential hope given to the fearful:

https://www.npr.org/sections/health-...ly-study-finds

A lot will depend on how reliable it is. If the false positive rate is not negligible, it’s not a lot better than Cologuard. From the article:

Dr. Barbara Jung, president of the American Gastroenterological Association says the test could help improve early detection of colorectal cancer.

"I do think having a blood draw versus undergoing an invasive test will reach more people, " she says. "My hope is that with more tools we can reach more people."

But even if the blood test is approved, it will not replace the dreaded colonoscopy. "If the test is positive, the next step will be a colonoscopy," Jung says. That's because a colonoscopy can detect precancerous lesions – called polyps.

"And when you find those, you can also remove them, which in turn prevents the cancer from forming," Jung says.

[Dogma]

Originally Posted by Talk2Me

Maybe this is the future and some potential hope given to the fearful:

https://www.npr.org/sections/health-...ly-study-finds

BUT it says that the next step after a positive test result is a colonoscopy. Hopefully the results have a better margin of error than the cologuard, but if one wants to be truly proactive, I don't think we have a better option than a scope every however many years as recommended by what is found.

[Talk2Me]

Originally Posted by David Eastwood

A lot will depend on how reliable it is. If the false positive rate is not negligible, it’s not a lot better than Cologuard. From the article:

Dr. Barbara Jung, president of the American Gastroenterological Association says the test could help improve early detection of colorectal cancer.

"I do think having a blood draw versus undergoing an invasive test will reach more people, " she says. "My hope is that with more tools we can reach more people."

But even if the blood test is approved, it will not replace the dreaded colonoscopy. "If the test is positive, the next step will be a colonoscopy," Jung says. That's because a colonoscopy can detect precancerous lesions – called polyps.

"And when you find those, you can also remove them, which in turn prevents the cancer from forming," Jung says.

You should have quoted the other part of the article where they said it was 83% effective. Cologuard tests are roughly half of that. Actual colonoscopy? About 95% (depending on the skill of your Dr I'd imagine).

Originally Posted by Dogma

BUT it says that the next step after a positive test result is a colonoscopy. Hopefully the results have a better margin of error than the cologuard, but if one wants to be truly proactive, I don't think we have a better option than a scope every however many years as recommended by what is found.

Asked and answered in the article I posted (and in my comment just above this quote).

[David Eastwood]

Originally Posted by Talk2Me

You should have quoted the other part of the article where they said it was 83% effective. Cologuard tests are roughly half of that. Actual colonoscopy? About 95% (depending on the skill of your Dr I'd imagine).

You’re correct - I should have mentioned that. It doesn’t do much to change my opinion that I’d prefer to just go straight for the colonoscopy than take a test that has a 1 in 6 chance of missing something altogether, and even if positive, would require the colonoscopy as the next step anyway.

Your opinion may differ, of course.

[Talk2Me]

Originally Posted by David Eastwood

You’re correct - I should have mentioned that. It doesn’t do much to change my opinion that I’d prefer to just go straight for the colonoscopy than take a test that has a 1 in 6 chance of missing something altogether, and even if positive, would require the colonoscopy as the next step anyway.

Your opinion may differ, of course.

No. My opinion is as yours. I have gotten these for years due to genetic risk factors (in my family almost a cancer guarantee actually). I don't find them exceptionally disruptive or scary. I have seen what happens to someone who doesn't get them and to those that do. The former situation is NOT a pretty one while that latter is completely survivable. However, for those that put off the full test it is clearly better than the Cologuard which is basically a medical scam.

[David Eastwood]

Originally Posted by Talk2Me

No. My opinion is as yours. I have gotten these for years due to genetic risk factors (in my family almost a cancer guarantee actually). I don't find them exceptionally disruptive or scary. I have seen what happens to someone who doesn't get them and to those that do. The former situation is NOT a pretty one while that latter is completely survivable. However, for those that put off the full test it is clearly better than the Cologuard which is basically a medical scam.

Got it - I understand and concur.

[Jim Owen]

It’s routine during a colonoscopy for the doc to shave polyps. They may be harmless but as they grow, not so much.

One might argue that colonoscopies prevent cancer as well as screen. Not so, cologuard.

[JackB1]

Originally Posted by Talk2Me

No. My opinion is as yours. I have gotten these for years due to genetic risk factors (in my family almost a cancer guarantee actually). I don't find them exceptionally disruptive or scary. I have seen what happens to someone who doesn't get them and to those that do. The former situation is NOT a pretty one while that latter is completely survivable. However, for those that put off the full test it is clearly better than the Cologuard which is basically a medical scam.

I agree 100%. Cologuard is just capitalizing on people that want an "easier" alternative to a colonoscopy. The only "hard" part is the prep which is basically a very light diet for a few days and then you clean out your system. Its more of a hassle than anything...not painful at all. After you've had one you will immediately think how dumb you were for putting it off.

[reeve21]

Anyone who is reading this, I beg you to get regular colonoscopies.

I have seen both sides of the equation up very, very close (lives lost, lives saved). Other than perhaps not smoking this may be the single most important thing you can do for yourself and your loved ones. Colon cancer is not a good way to leave this world......