Colon & Rectal Surgery Consultants
2306 Knob Creek Road
Johnson City, TN 37604
423-610-1177
Dr. Connie Pennington, MD
Colorectal Surgery
COLOGUARD STOOL DNA CANCER SCREENING TEST
Cologuard is intended for the qualitative detection of colorectal neoplasia associated DNA markers and for the presence of occult hemoglobin in human stool. A positive result may indicate the presence of colorectal cancer (CRC) or advanced adenoma (AA) and should be followed by diagnostic colonoscopy. Cologuard is indicated to screen adults of either sex, 50 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.
Who is a Candidate for Cologuard?
1. Cologuard is intended for use with patients, age 50 years and older, at average risk who are typical candidates for Colorectal Cancer screening.
2. Cologuard costs $599 and must be ordered by a physician.
3. In TN Cologuard is covered in full by Medicare red/white/blue. Medicare advantage plans will cover Cologuard with a nominal co-pay.
4. Cologuard is covered by Medicare every 3 years.
5. Positive results should be followed by standard diagnostic colonoscopy.
Cologuard is ideal for Medicare patients that require screening examinations who are elderly, frail, or on anticoagulant medications.
Contraindications:
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Patients with a history of colorectal cancer, adenomas, or other related cancers.
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Patients who have had a positive result from another colorectal cancer screening method within the last 6 months
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Patients who have been diagnosed with a condition that is associated with high risk for colorectal cancer. These include but are not limited to:
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Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD)
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Chronic ulcerative colitis (CUC)
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Crohn’s disease
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Familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP)
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Family history of colorectal cancer
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Patients who have been diagnosed with a relevant familial (hereditary) cancer syndrome ,such as Hereditary non-polyposis colorectal cancer syndrome (HNPCCC or Lynch Syndrome), Peutz- Jeghers Syndrome, MYH-Associated Polyposis (MAP), Gardner’s syndrome, Turcot’s (or Crail’s) syndrome, Cowden’s syndrome, Juvenile Polyposis, Cronkhite-Canada syndrome, Neurofibromatosis, or Familial Hyperplastic Polyposis.