Dr. George Philips, UT Erlanger Academic GastroenterologyQ: What is Cologuard, and is it an alternative to a colonoscopy?
A: Cologuard is a testing kit that looks for certain markers in your stool sample. This is not an alternative to a colonoscopy procedure. The colonoscopy gives your provider the opportunity to look at and thoroughly check your large intestine, which includes your colon, for polyps or anything that may look troublesome such as ulcers or inflammation. We remove the polyps during your procedure and send them to the lab to be tested. This allows us a much quicker and more accurate response to your gastrointestinal health. A colonoscopy typically takes about 30 minutes and is always done under deep sedation, so you will not remember or feel any of it.
Recent studies have shown that people need colonoscopies younger and younger. Just because you are in your 20s does not mean you should neglect your GI health. If you have a personal history or family history of colon cancer or GI issues, you should speak with your primary-care physician about scheduling a colonoscopy.
– Dr. George Philips, UT Erlanger Academic Gastroenterology; member, Chattanooga-Hamilton County Medical Society