A positive result from a Cologuard screening test indicates the presence of altered DNA or hemoglobin in the stool sample, suggesting a potential colorectal cancer or advanced precancerous polyp. This outcome doesn’t definitively diagnose cancer, but signals the need for a diagnostic colonoscopy to visually examine the colon and obtain tissue biopsies for confirmation.
Early detection of colorectal cancer dramatically improves treatment outcomes and survival rates. Non-invasive screening options like Cologuard offer an accessible alternative to colonoscopy for average-risk individuals, potentially increasing screening adherence and enabling earlier intervention. Cologuard’s introduction expanded screening options, contributing to public health efforts to combat colorectal cancer, a leading cause of cancer-related deaths.
