Cologuard is a screening test for colon and rectal cancer. The colon sheds cells from its lining every day. These cells pass with the stool through the colon. Colon cancer cells may have DNA changes in certain genes. Cologuard detects the altered DNA.

Is Cologuard accurate? Cologuard can detect 92% of cancers but only 42% of large precancerous polyps. In other words, no, it is not accurate, especially when it comes to preventing cancer by detecting polyps. While it is better at detecting cancer than FIT (92% vs 74% for FIT), the false positive rate is higher.

Cologuard is a do-it-yourself, mail-in DNA test that helps detect some colon cancers - but it's not a great preventative because it detects cancers only AFTER you have developed it. On the other hand, a colonoscopy PREVENTS colon cancer by removing the potentially cancerous polyps before they become cancerous.

Cologuard™ tests for two DNA methylation markers [NDRG4, BMP3], seven point mutations on K-ras [codons 12 and 13], quantitative DNA [β-actin], and fecal hemoglobin.

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Cologuard is indicated to screen adults of either sex, 45 years or older, who are at typical average risk for CRC. Cologuard is not a replacement for diagnostic colonoscopy or surveillance colonoscopy in high-risk individuals.

Cologuard's accuracy rate for detecting colorectal cancers and precancerous polyps is touted to be 92%. While that is impressive for a stool-based test, it still means that 8% of lesions will go undetected, leaving those patients with a false sense of security. Cologuard has a 14% false-positive rate.

Pro – No prep work or anesthesia necessary Cologuard doesn't require the unpleasant bowel preparation, sedation or insertion of a scope that comes with a colonoscopy. Patients can eat and drink normally before they collect the stool sample at home, avoiding disruption of work and daily activities.

The Cologuard difference Cologuard is the first and only test that looks for both abnormal DNA and blood in stool. Plus, Cologuard's Customer Care Center supports you the entire way.

(1) Cologuard Collection Kit containing the patient instructions, a protein sample tube with stool collection stick and buffer, a stool collection container, a foldable plastic bracket, a liquid preservative and a mailing container.

Completely. Now empty all of the preservative liquid from the bottle into the container. Anything left in the bottle. Step five next place the lid on the container.

The Cologuard collection kit is used to collect your stool sample. After you collect your stool sample following the instructions in this Patient Guide, the collection kit will be delivered to a lab. The lab will test your stool sample and send the results to your healthcare provider.