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WHAT IS COLOGUARD?
Cologuard is an easy to use, noninvasive colon cancer screening test based on the latest advances in stool DNA science. It can be used by men and women 50 years of age and older who are at average risk for colon cancer.
Cologuard finds both cancer and precancer. The earlier colon cancer is detected, the easier it is to treat. In a large clinical study, Cologuard found more cancers and precancers than a leading fecal blood test (OC FIT-CHEK, Polymedco, Inc.).
The Cologuard Collection Kit is easy to use, and it’s shipped directly to your home. Getting screened with Cologuard involves:
- Collecting a stool sample (in the privacy of your own home)
- Sending the sample to Exact Sciences Laboratories in a prepaid, preaddressed package via UPS drop-off or pick-up
- Talking with your doctor about the result
Additionally, if you have any questions or concerns, our Customer Support Specialists are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. You can call us toll-free at 1-844-870-8870.
HOW DOES COLOGUARD WORK?
Every day the lining of your colon naturally sheds cells. If you have cancer and precancer in your colon, abnormal cells shed into the colon, along with normal cells. The shedding cells are picked up by stool as it passes through your colon.
Cologuard uses advanced stool DNA technology to find DNA from these abnormal cells and hemoglobin from red blood cells.
Cologuard is not a genetic test because it does not provide information on inherited risk. Cologuard looks only for altered DNA associated with colon cancer and precancer.
WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF COLOGUARD?
Cologuard…
- Is noninvasive and easy to use in your own home, requiring no time off to prepare, dietary restrictions, or changes in medication
- Uses the latest advances in stool DNA science
- Finds more cancer and precancer than a leading fecal blood test (OC FIT-CHEK, Polymedco, Inc.)
WHAT ARE THE RISKS AND PRECAUTIONS ASSOCIATED WITH COLOGUARD?
Cologuard may produce false negative or false positive results:
- A false positive occurs when Cologuard produces a positive result, even though a colonoscopy will not find cancer or precancer. Any positive result should be followed by diagnostic colonoscopy.
- A false negative occurs when Cologuard does not detect colon cancer or precancer even when a colonoscopy identifies the positive result. Following a negative result, patients should continue participating in a screening program at an interval and with a method appropriate for the individual patient.
Cologuard performance has been established in clinical trial at a single point in time. Performance when used for repeat testing has not been evaluated or established.
Patients should not provide a sample if they have diarrhea or blood in their urine or stool (for example, bleeding hemorrhoids, bleeding cuts or wounds on their hands, rectal bleeding, or menstruation).
The risks related to using the Cologuard Collection Kit are low, with no serious adverse events reported among people in a clinical trial. Patients should be careful when opening and closing the lids to avoid the risk of hand strain.
For complete information on Cologuard, please click here.
IS COLOGUARD RIGHT FOR ME?
Cologuard is a noninvasive option for colon cancer screening for people who are:
- Men and women 50 years or older
- At average risk for colon cancer
Cologuard may not be right for you if:
- You have a personal history of colon cancer, polyps, or other related cancers
- You have a family history of colon cancer
- You have had a positive result for another screening method in the last six months
- You have been diagnosed with a condition that places you at high risk for colon cancer. These include but are not limited to: Inflammatory Bowel Disease, Chronic ulcerative colitis, Crohn’s disease, Familial adenomatous polyposis
- You have been diagnosed with a relevant cancer syndrome passed on from your family, such as Hereditary non-polyposis colorectal cancer syndrome, Peutz-Jeghers Syndrome, MYH-Associated Polyposis, Gardner’s syndrome, Turcot’s (or Crail’s) syndrome, Cowden’s syndrome, Juvenile Polyposis, Cronkhite-Canada syndrome, Neurofibromatosis, or Familial Hyperplastic Polyposis
Ask your doctor if Cologuard is right for you. Click here to learn how.
