Real Cologuard®
story: Cindy
Screened with Cologuard
When Cindy turned 50, she had a plan firmly in place.
She knew it was the year she would talk to her healthcare provider about her routine colorectal cancer screening. And as someone who takes pride in taking charge of her health, she had researched the screening options available and was ready to have the conversation during her routine appointment.
But for Cindy, things didn’t go according to plan. At that same time, some of Cindy’s priorities came to a pause as she received some unexpected news—a diagnosis for a rare condition that would require testing and treatments. And for two years, that’s what Cindy did—and delayed colorectal cancer screening. She persisted and after managing her diagnosis, was ready to ask her healthcare provider about her colorectal cancer screening options, including Cologuard.
“I didn’t want to do anything invasive at the time. I suggested Cologuard, and my [healthcare provider] said that would be acceptable for me in the situation that I’m in.”
Cindy was at average risk for colorectal cancer and chose Cologuard after discussing several appropriate screening options with her healthcare provider. Cindy quickly received her test, completed the sample collection at home, and sent the kit back to the lab. A few weeks later, she received her result—which was negative.
Since getting screened, Cindy has been grateful to share her experience and the importance of screening with friends—even inspiring her husband to complete his colorectal cancer screening.
Having a choice in her colorectal cancer screening was encouraging for Cindy, and she wants those she cares about to know it’s too important to sit out.
Getting screened for colorectal cancer is an important step in taking care of yourself, which Cindy refuses to take for granted. And now that she’s gotten screened, she is determined to stick to her next plan—get screened again when she’s due.
This story reflects one individual’s experience. Not every person will have the same treatment, experience, outcome, or result. Cologuard is prescribed by your health care provider. Talk to your health care provider about available screening options and whether Cologuard may be right for you. There are potential risks associated with the Cologuard test and it may not be appropriate for all patients. For more information about the risks, talk to your health care provider or visit Cologuard.com/risk-information for more information.
Cologuard is intended to screen adults 45 years of age and older who are at average risk for colorectal cancer by detecting certain DNA markers and blood in the stool. Do not use if you have had adenomas, have inflammatory bowel disease and certain hereditary syndromes, or a personal or family history of colorectal cancer. Cologuard is not a replacement for colonoscopy in high risk patients. Cologuard performance in adults ages 45-49 is estimated based on a large clinical study of patients 50 and older. Cologuard performance in repeat testing has not been evaluated.
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 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. 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.
