Why have a colonoscopy?
A colonoscopy detects AND prevents colon cancer
A colonoscopy is the only test that in effect cures future colorectal cancer through the removal of polyps.
Proven safety profile
Colonoscopies have been the gold standard for colorectal cancer detection and prevention for many decades. It has a proven record for being painless, quick, and a life-saving procedure.
Why avoid cologuard?
Having cologuard ordered by your physician will negate your benefits for having a screening colonoscopy in the future. Your insurance makes you pay for a diagnostic colonoscopy instead of covering this procedure when following up on a positive cologuard. Since cologuard cannot remove polyps and roughly 1/3 of patients will have a polyp at some point, it is an unfit alternative.
Also...
With high rates of false negatives, Cologuard misses a large number of lesions giving a false sense of safety
All other "alternatives"
When looking into other "screening" methods understand that NONE of these tests PREVENT cancer. ONLY a colonoscopy can simultaneously deliver this important benefit. This is a fact that is NEVER commented on by alternatives