About colon cancer
screening results
with Cologuard®
Positive Result
The test detected altered DNA and/or blood that could be caused by a precancerous polyp or colon cancer.
Any positive result should be discussed with a healthcare provider and followed up with a diagnostic colonoscopy.
False positives do occur. A false positive result occurs when Cologuard produces a positive result, even though a colonoscopy will not find cancer or precancerous polyps.
Negative Result
The test did not detect altered DNA and/or blood that could be caused by a precancerous polyp or colon cancer.
False negatives do occur. A false negative result occurs when Cologuard does not detect a precancerous polyp or colon cancer even when a colonoscopy identifies the positive result.
The American Cancer Society recommends a screening interval every 3 years with Cologuard following a negative result.1 Cologuard performance in repeat testing has not been evaluated.
Reference
1. Wolf AMD, Fontham ETH, Church TR, et al. Colorectal cancer screening for average-risk adults: 2018 guidelines update from the American Cancer Society. CA Cancer J Clin. 2018;68(4):250-281.