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Cologuard test: what a positive result means and when to seek a second opinion
OregonLive.com • • health
Key Points:
- An 85-year-old woman received a positive Cologuard test indicating a 4% chance of colon cancer and a 38% chance of advanced polyps, but her gastroenterologist advised against colonoscopy due to her age and health history.
- Virtual colonoscopy (CT colonography) is an alternative but can be uncomfortable and may still lead to uncertainty; if abnormalities are found, a colonoscopy might still be necessary.
- The risk of complications from colonoscopy in elderly patients, especially those with prior cancer and radiation, is higher, with about a 1% chance of colon perforation requiring hospitalization.
- Decisions about further testing should consider the patient's willingness to undergo surgery if cancer is found, as surgery may be avoided in some cases but can be important for preventing severe complications like bowel obstruction.
- Patients have the right to seek a second opinion if their current doctor refuses to perform a colonoscopy despite the patient's preference.
