Dr. Roach Advises 85-Year-Old With Positive Cologuard to Weigh Colonoscopy Risks Against Cancer Probability
An 85-year-old woman with a positive Cologuard test and recent sarcoma history seeks guidance on next steps after her gastroenterologist declined a colonoscopy. Dr. Mehmet Oz, writing as Dr. Roach, notes that a positive Cologuard result implies a 38% risk of advanced polyps and a 4% risk of colon cancer. He advises that while virtual CT colonography is an alternative, it may not resolve diagnostic uncertainty. If the patient is willing to undergo surgery for potential cancer, a colonoscopy remains the gold standard despite a 1% complication risk, which is lower than the cancer risk. He suggests seeking a second opinion if the current doctor refuses to proceed.