KEY POINTS

• Cologuard has a good detection rate for colon cancers, but it is quite poor at detecting even large precancerous polyps (detecting less than half of cases). In other words, it is not accurate when it comes to preventing cancer by detecting polyps.
• Not all patients are eligible for Cologuard. If you are at an increased risk for colon cancer (e.g., a history of colon polyps, a family history of colon cancer, IBD, etc.), you are not eligible for Cologuard, and a colonoscopy is required.
• After a positive Cologuard test, a colonoscopy is necessary for a definitive answer.
• Additionally, Cologuard cannot be used if you have symptoms (e.g., blood in stool, changes in bowel habits, etc.); colonoscopy is the only diagnostic tool.