$#@& cancer and send it straight to Hell where it belongs!

Cologuard can find actual cancer (90%+), but benefit of the colonoscopy is that it finds and removes the precancerous polyps before they become cancer and invasive treatment like removing sections of colon and chemo is required. Cologuard is only about 40% effective at finding polyps, and those can be decently far along to becoming cancer because they must be bleeding to be detected by cologuard.

Also, the colonoscopy is good for determining your future risk. If the doc doesn't find much polyp-wise, you're good for 10 years whereas others may need to come back in 3 or less. Very valuable information about how vigilant you may need to be

My doc strongly recommended a colonoscopy over Cologuard. I don't know enough to form an opinion, but I've got my initial colonoscopy consultation next week.

I messaged my doctor yesterday to get me in for a colonoscopy. If insurance won't cover it, I'm paying out of pocket.

nai06 said:

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I messaged my doctor yesterday to get me in for a colonoscopy. If insurance won't cover it, I'm paying out of pocket.

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Age reasons by insurance (not old enough)?

yep

Here. May Her Memory be Eternal

This absolutely sucks.

Honest question-
My wife had an uncle die of pancreatic cancer. I knew it was pancreatic cancer because of the symptoms but the insurance slow walked the imaging and he died as a result.

So I have some experience with insurance and people's refusal to operate outside of the insurance framework basically signing someone's death sentence.

if there was a cash pay option to get mammograms, colonscopies, and other screenings at a much reduced cash price- say $2,700 for the colonscopy and poly removals, $150 for mammogram.

But they will not even attempt to file to your insurance-

Would you do it?

Here.

And yes, cancer does suck.

My clinic does this. We have set ages that we start tests, but if the patient really wants it the docs won't say no. Its all out of pocket, no insurance involved. But it isn't particularly cheap.

There are places starting to pop up that are doing them cheaper.

Beckdiesel03 said:

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I am very sorry for your loss. And yes things need to change. I have colon cancer in my family and colon problems and they still wouldn't approve me for a screening at 44.

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Wife's father died from colon cancer. Insurance approved at 40 and every 5 years after and for her sister, but not the 2 brothers. Some kind of paternal marker in the girls.

Weird.

But the sons should be approved for starting at the age the dad was diagnosed minus ten years. Or 45 years old, whichever is earlier.

Went her highschool with her. She was a shining light.

I didn't know her, but I did know her roommate and some other friends of hers. Reading everyone's touching words about her today and yesterday have been heartbreaking. They made me hug my kids a little tighter.

**** cancer.

It sucks. I grew up with Lorelei. Found out about the cancer last year and her passing this week.

Through it all, she remained such a positive person. It was heartbreaking news.

My father in law passed away from cancer. A healthy man just decimated. Cancer is terrible. I hope they find a cure.

Cancer will increase in the US as we eat a lot of crap with chemicals in them.

Here.
Sad for sure.

My gastro doc told me the Cologuard pics up on blood in your stool only.
Much better off and much more conclusive to do colonoscopy.
I'm old enough to remember barium enemas and proctoscopes to find colon cancer and there was no such technology to do colonoscopy.
Take advantage of the test… and have peace of mind.

CDub06 said:

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It sucks. I grew up with Lorelei. Found out about the cancer last year and her passing this week.

Through it all, she remained such a positive person. It was heartbreaking news.

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I think that's one of the things I'll remember most about her, that positivity. It wasn't fake or in a way that made you resent her. Like if you were down or feeling sad, she could let you feel sad but still be a little bit of light. She was generally just a very wonderful and cheery person.