This tool estimates the risk that a white man or woman who is 50 to 85 years old will develop colorectal cancer (which is another way to say colon and rectal cancer). See About the Tool for more information.

Things to know before using this tool:

• It can only estimate the risk of colorectal cancer for men and women who are:
  • White
  • Between the ages of 50 and 85
• The tool will be updated by spring 2009 for use by African Americans, Hispanics, and Asian Americans. Until the tool is updated, you can access another online risk assessment tool developed at the Harvard School of Public Health.
• It cannot accurately estimate colorectal cancer risk for people who have the following problems:
  • Ulcerative colitis
  • Crohn disease
  • Familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP)
  • Hereditary Nonpolyposis Colorectal Cancer (HNPCC)
  • Personal history of colorectal cancer
• This tool also does not account for your diet or physical activity.
• This tool should be used by health professionals with their patients. If you are not a health professional, please discuss the results with your doctor. He or she is in the best position to help you understand your risk of colorectal cancer.
• It will take about 5 to 8 minutes to answer all the questions in the tool and obtain your risk calculation.
• The Colorectal Cancer Risk Assessment Tool will be updated as new data or research become available.
• For information to help you understand cancer risk, visit http://understandingrisk.cancer.gov. This Web site helps patients and health professionals make informed decisions.