Purdue University’s Center for Healthy Living Colorectal Cancer Screening Event FAQs

Purdue University’s Center for Healthy Living (CHL), in conjunction with Cologuard® and Exact Sciences, is providing no-cost, noninvasive colon cancer screenings to qualifying benefits-eligible Purdue employees and spouses covered on a Purdue health plan. Upon completion of the screening you will receive a Healthy Boiler shirt as a gift.

Who is eligible for the screening event?

All benefits-eligible employees at the West Lafayette campus and their covered spouses are eligible to participate in this event if the pre-screening verifies you meet criteria for the Cologuard® screening.

What is Cologuard®?

Cologuard® is an easy to use, noninvasive colon cancer screening test that you can use in the privacy of your own home. It identifies altered DNA and/or blood in stool, which are associated with the possibility of colon cancer or precancer. The Center for Healthy Living healthcare provider will talk with you about your results.

Why do I need to be pre-screened for Cologuard®?

If you are 50 and older and at average risk for colon cancer, Cologuard® may be right for you. Cologuard® is not for everyone. It is not a replacement for diagnostic or surveillance colonoscopy in high-risk individuals. It may not be right for you if:  

• You have a personal history of colon cancer, adenomas or other related cancers
• You have a family history of colon cancer (one or more first degree relatives diagnosed with colon or rectal cancer before the age of 60, or two or more first degree relatives diagnosed with colon or rectal cancer of any age)
• You have had a positive result from another screening method in the last six months
• You have been diagnosed with a condition that places you at high risk for colon cancer. These include but are not limited to: Inflammatory Bowel Disease, Chronic ulcerative colitis, Crohn’s disease, Familial adenomatous polyposis
• You have been diagnosed with a relevant cancer syndrome passed on from your family, such as Hereditary non-polyposis colorectal cancer syndrome, Peutz-Jeghers Syndrome, MYH-Associated Polyposis, Gardner’s syndrome, Turcot’s (or Crail’s) syndrome, Cowden’s syndrome, Juvenile Polyposis, Cronkhite-Canada syndrome, Neurofibromatosis or Familial Hyperplastic Polyposis
• Results should be interpreted with caution for individuals over age 75, as the rate of false positives increases with age

What do I need to do to participate?

1. Complete a pre-screening questionnaire on the Healthy Boiler Portal.
2. CHL staff will do outreach following questionnaire completion to schedule an appointment.
3. After the appointment at the CHL with a primary care provider, the Cologuard® kit will be delivered to your home.
4. You then complete and return the Cologuard® kit to Cologuard®/Exact Sciences in a prepaid envelope via US mail.
5. Results will be delivered to the primary care provider at CHL.
6. CHL staff will contact you to discuss results. (a follow-up appointment may be necessary for abnormal results.)

Will I get paid time off to participate in the screening?

No, you will need to participate during your own time.

How much will the screening cost?

No cost to you. The colorectal screening test and the initial appointment will be covered 100 percent as preventive on all Purdue University health plans. If you are a benefits-eligible employee who has opted-out of a Purdue health plan, you can still participate. The CHL provider will complete the kit order utilizing your insurance information and not the Purdue health plan.

Will I need my insurance card?

Yes, you will need to bring your insurance card with you on the day of your appointment in order for the kit to be ordered correctly

How will I receive my Cologuard® kit?

After your appointment at the CHL, the Cologuard® kit will be shipped to you in two to three days.

How do I return my Cologuard® kit?

The Collection Kit (with the sample inside) should be mailed back the Exact Sciences lab via UPS, using the original box and prepaid and pre-addressed return label that we provide. You can drop off the kit at any UPS store or shipping location, or you can call 1-800-823-7459 to schedule a pick-up at your home.

When do I return my Cologuard® kit?

The sample must be shipped within 24 hours of collection, and received by our lab within 72 hours of collection. We recommend shipping it Monday through Thursday for this reason.

When will I receive my results?

Your results will be sent to the provider at the CHL within two to three weeks. The CHL will contact you to discuss your results. In cases of abnormal screening results, the CHL provider may refer you to a specialist for follow-up and continuation of care.

How do I receive my gift?

Your gift can be picked up at the CHL or we can send it to you via camps mail. When you are contacted regarding your results, you will share your shirt size and your preference on pick up or delivery via campus mail.