Just wondering if anyoune has used cologuard (which is advertised alot here in the US) as an alternative to a colonoscopy and if so what is your opinion on it.
I must admit i had never even heard of Cologuard until your post. Having looked at the way Cologuard works i would never class it as an alternative to colonoscopy. Cologuard could be used i would think for early preliminary screening and may give an indication that something is wrong that needs to be investigated further with a colonoscopy, but that`s about all. Also with a colonoscopy picture`s and biopsies can be taken but with Cologuard obviousy you can`t.
It's still new so my insurance doesn't cover it yet. Plan to use it if and when insurance covers the cost.
Raffie
It certainly sounds a better screening device than the existing stool test (which has been around for ages) but it is a screening test. It doesn't tell you what is going on where in the gut, it cannot treat polyps (which the colonoscopy can) and also blood in the stool can come from minor things such as piles. I think it is a very good advancement as a first line test but it is not a substitute for a colonoscopy (even the colonoscopy itself does not pick up everything always). However, if you are under 55-60 and have no family history, symptoms or risk factors I think it sounds far far better than doing nothing.
From what I have read about cologuard it picks up the DNA in your stool for cancer cells, but then you end up having to have the colonoscopy.
You are correct in that it picks up the DNA and then you wind up doing to colonoscopy anyway which is why insurance companies are reluctant to cover cologuard. They're paying twice.
Regards,
Raffie