Cologuard Stool Dna Test

N engl j med.

Cologuard stool dna test.

Cologuard is intended to screen adults 45 years of age and older who are at average risk for colorectal cancer by detecting certain dna markers and blood in the stool. The fecal immunochemical test fit uses antibodies to detect blood in the stool. Cologuard is a do it yourself kit that allows you to collect your stool sample in the privacy of your home. That sample is then shipped to a lab for testing.

One stool dna test cologuard is approved for colon cancer screening in the united states. Cologuard is the only stool dna screening test for detecting colon cancer that is approved by the food and drug administration fda. Fit vs cologuard fit dna effectiveness convenience and cost are the three factors that determine which tests to pursue with a patient who is resistant to screening colonoscopy as well as flexible sigmoidoscopy or ct colonography. The fda approved it.

Cologuard is a screening test for colon and rectal cancer and detects altered dna. The cologuard test is a stool dna test that looks for microscopic blood in the stool and altered dna. Yes cologuard can detect some precancerous polyps that grow on the wall of the colon and may develop into cancer. For this test you collect an entire bowel movement and send it to a lab where it.

If a stool dna test finds something abnormal a colonoscopy will be needed to follow up on the findings. Do not use if you have had adenomas have inflammatory bowel disease and certain hereditary syndromes or a personal or family history of colorectal cancer. Cologuard looks for changes in your dna that could indicate. Abnormal cells or blood in the stool may indicate cancer or precancer tumors.

If a stool dna test detects abnormal dna additional testing may be used to investigate the cause such as a colonoscopy to examine the inside of the colon. Though it is often cited that cologuard has a sensitivity of 92 compared with fit s sensitivity of 74 it is important to. The fit dna test also referred to as the stool dna test combines the fit with a test that detects altered dna in the stool. It s performed using an at home kit that includes a container for a stool sample.

1 more about how cologuard is effective. Imperiale tf ransohoff df itzkowitz sh et al. Testing yourself for colon cancer is now easier and more accurate. Multitarget stool dna testing for colorectal cancer screening.

Cologuard is the name of the stool dna test that is currently fda approved and the patient gets it from their doctor s office.