Real Cologuard®
story: Robert
Colorectal cancer survivor, screened with Cologuard®
A phone call from his healthcare provider was the last thing Robert expected on Christmas Eve.
His Cologuard result was positive, and he was told he would need to have a follow-up colonoscopy – something Robert was hoping he’d be able to avoid when he discussed colon cancer screening options with his provider.
“During my annual physical, my doctor asked if I would be willing to do Cologuard since I was at average risk for colon cancer,” he said. “I was familiar with Cologuard and jumped at the idea of not having a colonoscopy. Cologuard was such a welcome relief.”
Robert’s perspective changed dramatically after that phone call on Christmas Eve. He quickly followed up with a colonoscopy after the holidays wrapped and was told he had stage I colon cancer.
It was news he never expected to hear, but he didn’t allow himself too much time to stew over it. He went in for surgery at the start of the New Year to have 14 inches of his colon removed – no radiation, no chemotherapy. Robert was back home with his family in a matter of days. And that’s when the emotions hit for Robert, who was finally processing what had happened to him.
“I felt humbled, overjoyed and blessed.”
Through those emotions, Robert found clarity and great purpose. He knew how reluctant he was to get screened before he was given a noninvasive option and got the sense that he wasn’t alone in those feelings.
“There could be someone walking around thinking they’re completely healthy, just like I was, thinking ‘No, I don’t need a test because I don’t want to go through a colonoscopy.’ There should be no stigma, hiccups, shame, or embarrassment involved with colon cancer screening,” he shared.
Robert is spreading that message to everyone who will listen to it – with family, friends, and even coworkers
“I tell everyone to get screened as soon as they’re eligible. People think talking about colon cancer screening is taboo, and it isn’t. It’s just a medical test.”
*Based on 5-year survival
References
1. National Cancer Institute. Cancer stat facts: colorectal cancer. Accessed September 24, 2021.
https://seer.cancer.gov/statfacts/html/colorect.html
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.
