Colorectal cancer screening solutions

Exploring the Cologuard® test for Health Systems’ Challenges
A health system leader and staff are seated around a conference table in a meeting.

We understand the challenges facing health systems

Closing the colorectal cancer (CRC) screening gap is a way to improve quality and CRC outcomes and enhance patient experiences. It's time to consider a collaborator who can deliver more with CRC screenings—more scalability, more insights, and more solutions.
An estimated 60 million Americans are due for CRC screening.1
CRC remains “the most preventable, yet least prevented, cancer.”2 An estimated 60 million average-risk patients aged 45 years and older remain eligible for CRC screening.1 National CRC screening rates remain well below established goals. 3,4
CRC screening rates by demographic indicators.
Large scale challenges can hamper your goals
Low CRC screening rates affect all age, race, and ethnic populations. Many people in underserved communities are not up to date with recommended CRC screenings. 3*
We know the potential patient barriers to CRC screening5
  • No family history of CRC
  • Lack of symptoms
  • Procrastination
  • Racial disparities
  • Cost
  • Fear and bowel prep concerns about colonoscopy
  • Lack of doctor recommendations
Healthcare provider discussing CRC screening with a patient who is sitting on an exam table.
And we strive to work alongside you to overcome those barriers through:
Optimized workflows
Optimizing workflows to help achieve CRC screening goals and improve quality measure scores
HIT infrastructure
Promoting efficiency by maximizing the capabilities of your Health Information Technology (HIT) infrastructure
Cologuard test
Delivering a CRC screening for average risk patients 45 and older with the Cologuard test that demonstrates high patient and provider satisfaction6
3 years of credits
Offering the only guideline-recommended noninvasive CRC screening test applicable for 3 years of Healthcare Effectiveness Data and Information Set (HEDIS®) credits7-10†‡
10+ years in market11
Helping more patients together than we ever could alone
We are well-positioned to support you in your efforts to increase screening rates. Our Cologuard test, a stool DNA-based colorectal cancer screening test for average-risk individuals aged 45 or older, has been in the market for over 10 years.7,11 We have a strong history of collaborating with health systems to develop multidisciplinary, standardized, and scalable CRC screening programs.
Cologuard® by Exact Sciences logo.
We are proud to collaborate with the following:
American College of Healthcare Executives or leaders who care® logo.
See our page within ACHE.org for on-demand webinars, videos, case studies, and articles about increasing CRC screening.
AMGA™ Chairman's Circle logo.
We support educational programs and a 22-month Colorectal Cancer Screening Initiative.
Connect with us
Explore how we can support your health system's goals for improving CRC screening rates.
Increase your system’s CRC screening rates with the Cologuard test
Workflow optimization with Exact Sciences

References and footnotes

  1. Ebner DW, Kisiel JB, Fendrick AM, et al. Estimated average-risk colorectal cancer screening-eligible population in the US. JAMA Netw Open. 2024;7(3):e245537.
  2. Itzkowitz SH. Incremental advances in excremental cancer detection tests. J Natl Cancer Inst. 2009;101(18):1225-1227.
  3. American Cancer Society. Colorectal Cancer Facts & Figures 2023-2025. Atlanta: American Cancer Society; 2023.
  4. 80% in every community. National Colorectal Cancer Roundtable. Accessed April 2, 2024. https://nccrt.org/80-in-every-community/
  5. 2019 colorectal cancer screening messaging guidebook: recommended messages to reach the unscreened. National Colorectal Cancer Roundtable. Accessed April 2, 2024. https://nccrt.org/resource/2019messagingguidebook/
  6. Data on file. Exact Sciences Corporation. Madison, WI.
  7. Davidson KW, Barry MJ, Mangione CM, et al. Screening for colorectal cancer: US Preventive Services Task Force recommendation statement. JAMA. 2021;325(19):1965-1977.
  8. Wolf AMD, Fontham ETH, Church TR, et al. Colorectal cancer screening for average-risk adults: 2018 guideline update from the American Cancer Society. CA Cancer J Clin. 2018;68(4):250-281.
  9. NCQA updates HEDIS measure for colorectal cancer screening. Healio. October 6, 2016. Accessed April 10, 2024. https://www.healio.com/news/gastroenterology/20161006/ncqa-updates-hedis-measure-for-colorectal-cancer-screening
  10. Colorectal cancer screening (COL, COL-E). National Committee for Quality Assurance. Accessed April 10, 2024. https://www.ncqa.org/hedis/measures/colorectal-cancer-screening/
  11. FDA approves Exact Sciences' Cologuard®; first and only stool DNA noninvasive colorectal cancer screening test. News release. Exact Sciences Corporation. August 12, 2014. Accessed June 3, 2024. a href="https://investor.exactsciences.com/investor-relations/press-releases/press-release-details/2014/FDA-Approves-Exact-Sciences-Cologuard-First-and-Only-Stool-DNA-Noninvasive-Colorectal-Cancer-Screening-Test/default.aspx" target="_blank">https://investor.exactsciences.com/investor-relations/press-releases/press-release-details/2014/FDA-Approves-Exact-Sciences-Cologuard-First-and-Only-Stool-DNA-Noninvasive-Colorectal-Cancer-Screening-Test/default.aspx
  12. Healthcare Effectiveness Data and Information Set (HEDIS®) Measurement Year 2022 Volume 2: Technical Update. National Committee for Quality Assurance. March 31, 2022. Accessed April 18, 2024. https://www.ncqa.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/MY-2022-Vol-2-Technical-Update.pdf
  13. Up to date denotes testing with any recommended test within the appropriate time interval (10 years, 5 years, 3 years, or annually).3
  14. The USPSTF-recommended screening frequency for sDNA-FIT is every 1 to 3 years.7 The ACS recommended screening interval for mt-sDNA is every 3 years.8 Guidelines may refer to the Cologuard test by different names, including mt-sDNA, FIT-fecal DNA, sDNA, and sDNA-FIT.
  15. sDNA (ie, Cologuard test) is one of the methods permitted for patients at average risk aged 45 to 75 years as part of the National Committee for Quality Assurance’s (NCQA) HEDIS® quality measures for colon cancer screening. Third-party guidelines and quality measures do not specifically “endorse” commercial products, and inclusion in same does not imply otherwise. HEDIS® is a registered trademark of the National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA).12

ACS=American Cancer Society; DNA=deoxyribonucleic acid; FIT=fecal immunochemical test;  mt-sDNA=multitarget stool DNA; NCQA=National Committee for Quality Assurance; USPSTF=United States Preventive Services Task Force.

Indications and Important Risk Information

The Cologuard® test is intended for the qualitative detection of colorectal neoplasia associated DNA markers and for the presence of occult hemoglobin in human stool. A positive result may indicate the presence of colorectal cancer (CRC) or advanced adenoma (AA) and should be followed by colonoscopy. The Cologuard test is indicated to screen adults of either sex, 45 years or older, who are at typical average risk for CRC. The Cologuard test is not a replacement for diagnostic colonoscopy or surveillance colonoscopy in high-risk individuals.

The Cologuard test is not for high-risk individuals, including patients with a personal history of colorectal cancer and adenomas; have had a positive result from another colorectal cancer screening method within the last 6 months; have been diagnosed with a condition associated with high risk for colorectal cancer such as IBD, chronic ulcerative colitis, Crohn’s disease; or have a family history of colorectal cancer, or certain hereditary syndromes.

Positive Cologuard results should be referred to colonoscopy. A negative Cologuard test result does not guarantee absence of cancer or advanced adenoma. Following a negative result, patients should continue participating in a screening program at an interval and with a method appropriate for the individual patient.

False positives and false negatives do occur. In a clinical study, 13% of patients without colorectal cancer or advanced adenomas received a positive result (false positive) and 8% of patients with cancer received a negative result (false negative). The clinical validation study was conducted in patients 50 years of age and older. Cologuard test performance in patients ages 45 to 49 years was estimated by sub-group analysis of near-age groups.

Cologuard test performance when used for repeat testing has not been evaluated or established. Rx only