False Reassurance From a Stool Test: A Delayed Cancer Diagnosis

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is an increasingly prevalent condition in the United States and the world. Numerous screening tools have been created to help prevent and identify early cases of CRC, which have led to better outcomes for patients. These screening tools range from stool tests to more invasive procedures like a colonoscopy. With this array of screening options, patients are often presented with a bevy of choices in their primary care clinic and may have difficulty understanding the difference between screening and treatment. Popular culture has also influenced these decisions as both traditional media and social media have weighed in on the experience with these screening tools. We present a unique case where our patient tested negative on a stool screening exam and proceeded to be diagnosed with CRC within the negative screening period. The case was complicated by the patient's reluctance to undergo a colonoscopy and a unique combination of symptoms that led to a difficult diagnosis.