Hello Ladies. 45F. Went for a routine cologuard test as part of my preventative visit. Test came back positive and I've asked been told to go for a colonscopy. Feeling very worried about this. Is it highly unusual for a cologuard test to be positive? Has anyone not opted to go for a colonscopy - because of fear and risks involved. Why should I go through with it - please help with any inputs on this as I dont feel comfortable speaking to anyone in my social circle 🙏🏼

Please go do the full diagnostic, you need to be sure. It could be nothing, but if it is something you cannot let it sit and fester.

I’m too high risk due to family history to qualify for cologuard. A colonoscopy is very routine and honestly no big deal. The prep isn’t fun but it’s really very tolerable and it’s necessary to rule out anything serious. Please just schedule the colonoscopy.

It's not common for it to be positive. If you don't get it checked, then you'll still worry about it. So might as well do the test and find out the result. There is no down side to doing the test. I've gotten a colonoscopy and it's not too bad. You'll drink some prep liquid that tastes nasty and will need to sit by the toilet the day before and not eat anything but clear liquids. On the day of the test they'll give you Anesthesia so you won't remember anything other than going into the procedure room waking up after. It's no big deal but go get your test ASAP.

You should definitely get the colonoscopy. Colon cancer is very treatable if caught early. My dad had a colonoscopy at 40 and had precancerous polyps. They were removed, and he has not gotten cancer, just a few more polyps over the years that were removed. His brother refused to get a colonoscopy and died of colon cancer 20 years later. I got my first colonoscopy at age 30, and I’ve never had an issue.

Had my first at 21. It’s really not that bad. 100% go get checked out. Nothing is worth risking your health.

Pro tip - they have newer prep that are pills you can just mix into water and drink instead of the older style prep. So much easier to do. Either way it isn’t bad, but if you’re nervous it’s worth bringing up to your doctor.

The risk of not doing a colonoscopy is far greater than the risk of having one. Honestly there is very little risk to the procedure.

Everything you read about colon cancer says that early detection is critical. Ignoring what may be an issue is not the right approach.

I’m surprised that cologuard was the recommended first step rather than the colonoscopy.

Please schedule your colonoscopy ASAP. Ask friends or coworkers for recommendations and schedule with their doctor. Don’t think about the results from the cologuard test. Perhaps it was a false result but finding out definitively is what is most important.

The exam itself is nothing. You are under light sedation and won’t even know what is going on.

The prep is what it is and frankly not that bad. Some doctors prescribe medication and others have you use Dulcolax, etc. My friends and I used the same doctor but for some reason we were prescribed different prep. He had this gallon jug to mix the prep and I got a quart container to make multiple batches of. My prep solution was Moviprep (along with anti gas medication that is typically used for infants) and I would suggest you request the doctor prescribe you that. Personally I know I wouldn’t be able to deal with Miralax. The Moviprep was lemon lime flavored and if anything was a bit too sweet for me, but otherwise easy to gulp down in 8 ounce increments.

Please schedule your procedure and get it done ASAP. Hopefully there is nothing of concern. If there’s an issue then finding out sooner is important. You can’t bury your head in the sand.

The prep is horrible, but getting the results is so worth it. I had to start getting them at 40 (62 now) and have gotten them every three to five years since. The good part- if you are a busy, in demand kind of accountant, they take your phone away, cover you with a warm blanket, give you some drugs, and it is actually the most relaxed you are going to be until the end of next busy season. I actually began to look forward on the day it happened to the enforced downtime. The prep is super annoying though and I hate fasting for a day.

Thanks to each and every person that commented. Your insights and personal experience shared made me overcome my fear else I would never have had the courage to book. The appointment has now been booked.. 🤞 everthing will be ok

The colonoscopy is a breeze. Prep is gross but doable. I recommend a later appointment time. You do part of prep the evening before but then can sleep without having to go to toilet a ton . Then you finish prep in the morning. You won’t feel or remember a thing. Worst case is that they find something but colon cancer is highly treatable when detected. Please report back when appt is made.

43F here. Just had a colonoscopy several weeks ago and it felt very routine. Don’t overthink it. You need to get it done.

I had a colonoscopy last Friday. My first so I was worried too. My doctor recommended Dulcolax and Miralax with Gatorade for the prep. Taking that wasn’t too bad. The uncomfortable part was the multiple “trips” to the bathroom. The procedure itself wasn’t bothersome since I was sedated, and when I woke up, I was already in recovery. Thank God everything turned out well.
At first, I hesitated to do it, but I thought it was for my well-being.

You should absolutely get it done so you don’t create more problems for yourself. Don’t live in ignorance. It’s not gonna last.

The cologuard test isn’t as specific so false positives are more common, but it’s used to help delay a colonoscopy if you’re low risk. That said, the recommendation is that if you flag positive that you do the colonoscopy anyways so it’s not really a replacement. Colon/bowel cancer runs in my family and it’s def a cancer that is easily treated or prevented if you catch it early. The most uncomfortable part is the prep but that’s infinitely better than dying young or going through surgery/chemo. Talk to your doctor if you’re anxious, but a positive cologuard doesn’t necessarily mean cancer and the colonoscopy will be worth it to confirm.

The risk of having undetected and untreated colon cancer is WAY higher than a routine colonoscopy.

I have IBD and have had 9 colonoscopies since the age of 12. Never had any complications or issues from the colonoscopy procedure. Go do it ASAP

colonoscopy is pretty routine these days. the prep is annoying because of the multiple bathroom trips but still no big deal. do the procedure it's way better knowing than having this be a constant fear!

Baby wipes to get thru the prep.

I had the exact same scenario. The colonoscopy found a polyp which was removed. I now need to go back five years later. The procedure was a marvel of six sigma engineering - they do so many and are so efficient!!!

Just recently had my first colonoscopy and it really wasn’t that bad at all. Drinking the prep was the worst part of it and even that wasn’t awful. That being said, my doctor had given me the option of Cologuard or colonoscopy and we talked it through. She made it clear that it was up to me but also let me know that Cologuard can’t distinguish “good” blood from “bad” blood in the test. So if you wipe too hard and small tear that bleeds or just have some residual blood from your period you didn’t see, that will cause a positive and then I’d be required to do the colonoscopy anyway. For your own health and wellbeing, please do it.

I just received my notification for a screening. This was the language included: The Cologuard test result should be interpreted with caution. A positive test result does not confirm the presence of cancer. Patients with a positive test result should be referred for diagnostic colonoscopy. A negative test result does not confirm the absence of cancer. Patients with a negative test result should discuss with their doctor when they need to be tested again.

IMPORTANT PART:
False positives and false negative results can occur. In a clinical study, 13% of people without cancer received a positive result (false positive) and 8% of people with cancer received a negative result (false negative). Rx only.

Hi !!!! I also work at deloitte 30’s female. It’s normal to feel scared for a colonoscopy bc they are pretty uncomfortable, but you should absolutely get one. It could be anything from a false positive (these tests are wrong 20% of the time), to inflammation to an early cancer. The more you think of it the more it will bother you. You can see if they have any cancellations to move you up as soon as possible. The hardest part is really not eating. Wishing you the best