Colorectal Cancer Prevention

Advanced Wellness Medical

Hormone Replacement Prevention and Anti-Aging

Colorectal Cancer Prevention

With the recent death of actor Chadwick Boseman, the specter of colorectal cancer has been brought to the forefront of all of our lives. Over the past years the frequency colorectal cancer has been steadily increasing. It has increased at a significant rate in the general population suggesting that there are chemicals in the foods we eat or other factors that we are likely unaware of that are increasing the likelihood of each of us getting colorectal cancer.

This month the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) has changed its recommendation policy for screen for colorectal cancer and now suggests that every adult 45 to 75 years of age should be screened for colorectal cancer at least once a year. As we are all about prevention at Advanced Wellness Medical, we feel that all of our patients should have access to a resource for screening with minimal to no charge and stress.

The simplest was to accomplish this is through using Cologuard testing. We are now set up with Cologuard to refer you and make this testing process as easy as possible for all of our patients.

Cologuard May Be Right for You?

If you are 45 and older and at average risk for colon cancer, Cologuard may be right for you. Cologuard is not for everyone. It is not a replacement for diagnostic or surveillance colonoscopy in high-risk individuals.

Cologuard May Not Be Right for You If:

• You already have a personal history of colon cancer, adenomas or other related cancers
• You have a family history of colon cancer (one or more first-degree relatives diagnosed with colon or rectal cancer before the age of 60, or two or more first-degree relatives diagnosed with colon or rectal cancer of any age)
• You have had a positive result from another screening method in the last six months
• You have been diagnosed with a condition that places you at high risk for colon cancer. These include but are not limited to: Inflammatory Bowel Disease, Chronic Ulcerative Colitis, Crohn’s disease, Familial Adenomatous Polyposis
• You have been diagnosed with a relevant cancer syndrome passed on from your family, such as: Hereditary Non-Polyposis Colorectal Cancer Syndrome, Peutz-Jeghers Syndrome, MYH-Associated Polyposis, Gardner’s Syndrome, Turcot’s (or Crail’s) Syndrome, Cowden’s Syndrome, Juvenile Polyposis, Cronkhite-Canada Syndrome, Neurofibromatosis, or Familial Hyperplastic Polyposis
• Results should be interpreted with caution for individuals over age 75, as the rate of false positives increases with age^[1].

Important Information You Should Know

• The Cologuard test result should as with all lab or diagnostic testing be interpreted with caution. A positive test result does not confirm the presence of cancer. There are false positives. Patients with a positive test result should be referred for diagnostic colonoscopy.
• A negative test result also does not confirm the absence of colorectal cancer. There are false negatives. Patients with a negative test result should discuss this result with their healthcare provider and determine if they need to be tested again or sent for another type of test.
• False positives and false negatives can occur. In a clinical study, 13% of people without cancer received a positive result (false positive) and 8% of people with cancer received a negative result (false negative). It is important to talk to your doctor about your test results.
• Consider that the above figures suggest that this test is right at least 79% of the time, this is much better than guessing or worrying.
• Do not provide a sample for Cologuard if you have diarrhea or have blood in your urine or stool.
• The risks related to using the Cologuard collection kit are low, with no serious adverse events reported among people in a clinical trial. You should be careful when opening and closing the lids to avoid the risk of hand strain.
• Please read the Instructions for Use and talk to your healthcare provider to see if Cologuard is right for you. This product is available by prescription only and must be interpreted by a physician.

If you are 45 years of age or older contact our office and ask for information about Colorectal Cancer Screening. We will arrange for a Cologuard kit to be sent directly to you and you can do the testing in the comfort of your own home or office. You will then mail the kit to the Cologuard company and when we get the results we will contact you via phone or if you like email to set up a telemed visit to discuss the results with you in private.

Knowing you do not have colorectal cancer can take a subconscious load off of your mind and free you to live a happier and healthier life.

In order to request Colorectal Screening (Cologuard Testing) call 626.365.1084 or send an email to info@AdvancedWellnessMedical.com asking for information and counseling regarding Colorectal Cancer Screening.

1. False positives and false negatives can occur. ↑