Wheaton Franciscan utilizing brand new test; a non-invasive way to test for colon cancer

MILWAUKEE (WITI) -- Which do you prefer -- the test, or the consequences of the disease? That's the message doctors have given patients when it comes to colonoscopies. But there's now an alternative -- a non-invasive way to get screened for colon cancer.

"If all the people who could get screened got screened for colon cancer we could save as many as 20,000 lives a year in this country," Dr. Paul Hartlaub, a preventative medicine physician at Wheaton Franciscan Healthcare said.

Colon cancer is the third leading cancer, and the second leading cause of cancer death in this country.

"A colonoscopy is still considered the gold standard," Dr. Hartlaub said.

Dr. Hartlaub with Wheaton Franciscan Healthcare says detecting colon cancer early can reduce cancer deaths by 30%.

"It's the best thing to do and the best way to prevent colon cancer and polyps from turning into colon cancer," Dr. Hartlaub said.

A colonoscopy can detect polyps when they are very small, but some are turned off by the preparation and the procedure. When patients flat-out reject a colonoscopy, doctors with Wheaton Franciscan can now offer an alternative. It's the first healthcare system in the Milwaukee area doing this.

"The Cologuard test looks for two things in the stool: one is DNA evidence of cancer cells and the second is blood," Dr. Hartlaub said.

Here's how it works: The doctor prescribes or orders a kit. You place the bracket and container on the toilet seat and have a bowel movement. A small sample is placed in a tube and sent to a lab by UPS.

There's no special preparation and no dietary restrictions.

Dr. Hartlaub says he's been a little surprised by his patients' reaction to the test.

"I thought that they might be sort of put off by having to go through that -- you know, put a stool into this container and deal with it, but surprisingly they're much more put off by the idea of a colonoscopy sometimes," Dr. Hartlaub said.

Once a doctor orders Cologuard, the company will call the patient to make sure it's covered by insurance or to let them know the cost. The test costs close to $600 without insurance. The company will then mail the kit to the patient's home.