By: Laura Anderson, Exact Sciences Kam knew it was important to get screened for colon cancer as soon as she was eligible. With her dad’s side of the family being affected by breast, kidney and prostate cancer, Kam wanted to “get all the cancer checks.” Growing up with her mom working in the medical field, along with her family’s various cancer history, Kam learned to care deeply about her preventive health. Today, more than 60 million Americans are not up to date on colorectal cancer screenings, despite it being the second leading cause of cancer deaths in the United States., Colorectal cancer is unique because it can be prevented through screening, but many people with early-stage disease do not have any symptoms. Now the American Cancer Society encourages people at average risk for colorectal cancer — meaning anyone who isn’t high risk — start routine screening at age 45. “I knew a fair amount about colonoscopy and the importance of getting them every 10 years because of my mother. I was her designated driver for her colonoscopies,” Kam said. “And I remember how excited she was when she didn’t need to do it again.” So, when Kam’s doctor offered her a screening option that can be done at home, the Cologuard® test, she readily accepted. The test was delivered right to her door with step-by-step instructions. It requires no additional prep or changes to her daily routine and Kam made a point of providing her sample and getting it back to the lab.  Within two weeks of mailing in her test, she received her results: Negative. “I was very relieved,” Kam said. “I got my results — my doctor did, too. And I had that sigh of relief.” Effective, convenient and easy to use non-invasive tests, like the Cologuard test, are key for the millions of adults at average risk who are not up to date on their colorectal cancer screening. Most people who use the Cologuard test have no symptoms and receive the same results as Kam. In a recent study, when Cologuard tests detected cancer, an estimated 80% were early-stage and precancerous cases, meaning they would be easier to treat or even prevent when they were detected,*  Cologuard kits can be requested online or through a doctor. Once someone has a kit at home, all they have to do is follow the instructions and send it back before the kit expires. “Having an option like Cologuard, which does a great job of detecting cancer and also identifies many precancerous lesions is important,” said Dr. Folasade May, director of quality in digestive diseases at UCLA Health and co-founder and board member of the Association of Black Gastroenterologists and Hepatologists. “For people who have a normal level of risk, it provides high quality screening option with minimal challenges to completing it. For those at high risk, a colonoscopy is the right choice.” For Kam, the peace of mind that comes with being cancer-free is a top priority as she gets older. After a successful career in the marketing industry, she values the ability to manage her time and own well-being, allowing her to travel and vacation without worry. The Cologuard test revolutionized at-home preventive health, being used more than 17 million times, making it easy to screen for colon cancer and giving more people time to celebrate life and cherish both small and big moments. Nearly 14 million negative Cologuard tests have been delivered, giving people a sense of comfort and relief. By choosing to get screened, Kam joined those who prioritize preventive care and take control of their health. “To me, knowledge is power,” Kam said. “Get screened … it was simple, covered by my insurance and so easy for me to use. If they find something, you’ll have the most options [for treatment] by getting tested.” To learn more about the Cologuard’s at-home testing kit, visit Cologuard.com. About the Cologuard test The Cologuard test is intended to screen adults 45 years of age and older who are at average risk for colorectal cancer by detecting certain DNA markers and blood in the stool. Do not use if you have had adenomas, have inflammatory bowel disease and certain hereditary syndromes, or a personal or family history of colorectal cancer. The Cologuard test is not a replacement for colonoscopy in high risk patients. Cologuard performance in adults ages 45-49 is estimated based on a large clinical study of patients 50 and older. Cologuard performance in repeat testing has not been evaluated. The Cologuard test result should be interpreted with caution. A positive test result does not confirm the presence of cancer. Patients with a positive test result should be referred for colonoscopy. A negative test result does not confirm the absence of cancer. Patients with a negative test result should discuss with their doctor when they need to be tested again. False positives and false negative results 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). Rx only. This story reflects on an individual’s experience. Not every person will have the same treatment, experience, outcome, or result. The Cologuard test is prescribed by your health care provider. Talk to your health care provider about available screening options and whether the Cologuard test may be right for you. There are potential risks associated with the Cologuard test and it may not be appropriate for all patients. For more information about the risks, talk to your health care provider or visit www.Cologuard.com for more information.