Center for Healthy Living’s Cologuard campaign makes colon cancer screening easy and accessible

March 5, 2026 Purdue Today

March is Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month — a time dedicated to promoting screening, early detection and support for those affected by colorectal cancer. For the seventh consecutive year, the Center for Healthy Living (CHL), in partnership with Cologuard and Exact Sciences, is helping make screening simple and accessible for eligible Purdue employees and covered spouses.

“2026 marks the seventh year Purdue has offered Cologuard screening through the CHL, and the steady increase in screening rates speaks to the impact of this program,” said Candace Shaffer, associate vice president of benefits and payroll in Human Resources. “Human Resources – Benefits and the CHL remain committed to removing barriers to preventive care. Through our collaboration with Cologuard, we continue to make screening easy and accessible while also providing employees the opportunity to earn Your Path Wellness Program incentives.” See below for more information on incentives.

What is Cologuard?

Cologuard is a noninvasive, stool-based test that detects blood and abnormal DNA associated with colon cancer and precancer. The screening is covered under Purdue health plans and supports both the physical health and financial wellness pillars of the Your Path Wellness Program.

Importantly, individuals do not have to be established patients with CHL providers to participate in the Cologuard campaign.

The screening opportunity is available to qualifying benefits-eligible Purdue employees on the West Lafayette, Fort Wayne and Northwest campuses, as well as covered spouses enrolled in a Purdue health plan.

Eligibility guidelines

Cologuard is intended for average-risk individuals. It is not recommended for those who:

Are younger than 45
Are older than 85
Have a personal or family history of colon cancer
Have a personal history of inflammatory bowel disease, irritable bowel syndrome, Crohn’s disease, ulcerative colitis or colonic polyps
Have completed a Cologuard screening within the past three years
Have had a colonoscopy within the last 10 years

CHL staff can help individuals who do not meet these criteria explore alternative screening options.

How the process works

After reviewing eligibility requirements, employees and covered spouses complete a brief pre-screening questionnaire available on the Your Path Wellness Portal (Click the “See Latest” button on the right side of the page to access the survey.) From there:

CHL staff reach out to schedule an appointment.
Following the appointment, a Cologuard kit is mailed directly to the participant’s home.
The completed kit is returned to Exact Sciences in a prepaid envelope via U.S. mail.
Results are sent to the CHL.
CHL staff schedule a follow-up appointment to review results and discuss next steps.

“Screening is the most effective way to prevent colon cancer,” Shaffer added. “We encourage members of our Purdue community to take advantage of this opportunity to better understand their colon health. Our team is here to answer questions, address concerns and guide next steps based on individual results.”

Earn Your Path Wellness Program incentive dollars

Colorectal screenings and colonoscopies count toward the 2026 Your Path wellness incentive as one of the optional Step 2 incentive screenings. Individuals age 45 and older will see “colonoscopy” listed as a challenge in the portal and can self-certify completion to earn additional incentive dollars.

Participants may complete their screening through this campaign or independently at any time during 2026 and still qualify. More information on how to earn incentives via the Your Path Wellness Program is available here.