COLOGUARD® TEST: INSTRUCTIONS

How to use the Cologuard test

Noninvasive, simple, and effective, the Cologuard test detects 92% of colon cancer1. Learn how to use your Cologuard kit with our step-by-step guide.

Choose your desired language for the video below to see how easy Cologuard can be to use
  • English (US)
  • English (US)
  • Español (Spanish)
  • العربية (Arabic)
  • Français (French)
  • Kreyòl Ayisyen (Haitian Creole)
  • हिंदी (Hindi)
  • 한국어 (Korean)
  • Português (Portuguese)
  • Русский (Russian)
  • Tagalog/Filipino
  • 粵語 (Cantonese Chinese)
  • Tiếng Việt (Vietnamese)
  • 国语 (Mandarin Chinese)

How to use

 

Watch this video for an in-depth guide on how to use Cologuard in your language.

The Triple S method: Set up, sample, and ship

Three easy steps to get screened for colon cancer.

View the quick start guide

Set up

Unpack your kit, check the expiration date, and follow the instructions inside.

Sample

Collect and scrape your sample, then fill the sample container with the preservative.

Ship

Drop off or schedule a UPS® pickup using the prepaid label. Make sure to send back your sample on the same, or the next day at the latest.

Yla, a patient who screened with Cologuard

“It took the pressure off of screening and was so easy for me to use.”

YLA

Screened with the Cologuard test

Read her story

Already have your kit?

Now that you have your Cologuard test, learn how to use your kit and understand your test results.

Get instructions
The Cologuard kit box, the sample container, tube, bracket, instruction guides, and bottle of liquid preservative

What’s inside your Cologuard box

  • Return shipping box
  • Sample container
  • Probe + tube
  • Bracket
  • Patient guide instructions
  • Sample labels
  • Bottle of liquid preservative)
Request Cologuard

Pack it, send it, get results fast

We’ve made it easy to ship your sample back to our lab using a prepaid label. Once we receive your kit, your test results will be available within 2 weeks.

Return your kit
A woman sitting at a table looking at a tablet

We’re with you every step of the way

Whether your Cologuard test results are negative or positive, we’ll help you and your provider through your next steps.

Understand your results

Frequently asked questions

Explore all FAQs

Our lab needs a stool sample that looks like your usual bowel movement. For size reference, please look at the bottle of liquid preservative in your kit. Your stool sample should be bigger than the bottle’s cap, but not bigger than the bottle itself.

Not at all. Cologuard requires no prep, no time off — giving you no reason not to screen for colon cancer in the privacy of your home.

Our lab needs a sample that is typical of your stool. So if yours is normally loose, you can proceed with the test. If you are sick or have diarrhea, please wait for a few days until your bowel movement returns to normal.

Your stool sample should be mailed back within the same day or the next at the latest. A prepaid UPS label is already attached to your shipment box. All you have to do is peel off the first label that has your shipping address. You can then drop it off at your nearest UPS store or schedule a pickup.

Just call Customer Care at  1-844-870-8870. If needed, we can ship you a new Cologuard kit at no additional cost.

Just log in to your account to access your result, which will be available within two weeks from the time our lab receives your sample.