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Colorectal Cancer Risk Assessment

Cancer of the colon or rectum (colorectal cancer) usually develops slowly, over several years. Take this simple assessment to learn about your risks for this type of cancer.

OverviewSee All
 Digestive System -- An Overview in Overview
Detailed information on how the digestive system works, including a full-color, labeled illustration of the digestive system. ...more
 Colorectal Cancer: Introduction in Overview
Colorectal cancer is cancer that starts in either your colon or your rectum. These make up the lower part of your digestive tract. In most cases, cancer does not start in both the colon and rectum. But both types of cancer have a lot in common. So they are often called colorectal cancer. ...more
 Colorectal Cancer: Symptoms in Overview
People with colorectal cancer often don't have symptoms right away. By the time symptoms start, the cancer may have grown or spread to other organs. Here's what you need to know. ...more
 Hereditary Colorectal Cancer Syndromes: Familial Adenomatous Polyposis (FAP) in Overview
FAP is a syndrome characterized by a large number of noncancer (benign) polyps in the colon and rectum. Without treatment, a person with FAP has a nearly 100% risk of colorectal cancer. ...more
 Hereditary Colorectal Cancer Syndromes- Less Common Syndromes in Overview
Several rare syndromes raise the risk for colorectal cancer. These disorders include Turcot syndrome, Peutz-Jeghers . syndrome, juvenile polyposis coli, and MUTYH-associated polyposis. ...more
 Carcinoid Tumor in Overview
Carcinoid tumor is a rare type of tumor that grows slowly....more
 Digestive System -- An Overview in Overview
Detailed information on how the digestive system works, including a full-color, labeled illustration of the digestive system. ...more
 Colorectal Cancer: Introduction in Overview
Colorectal cancer is cancer that starts in either your colon or your rectum. These make up the lower part of your digestive tract. In most cases, cancer does not start in both the colon and rectum. But both types of cancer have a lot in common. So they are often called colorectal cancer. ...more
 Colorectal Cancer: Symptoms in Overview
People with colorectal cancer often don't have symptoms right away. By the time symptoms start, the cancer may have grown or spread to other organs. Here's what you need to know. ...more
 Hereditary Colorectal Cancer Syndromes: Familial Adenomatous Polyposis (FAP) in Overview
FAP is a syndrome characterized by a large number of noncancer (benign) polyps in the colon and rectum. Without treatment, a person with FAP has a nearly 100% risk of colorectal cancer. ...more
 Hereditary Colorectal Cancer Syndromes- Less Common Syndromes in Overview
Several rare syndromes raise the risk for colorectal cancer. These disorders include Turcot syndrome, Peutz-Jeghers . syndrome, juvenile polyposis coli, and MUTYH-associated polyposis. ...more
 Carcinoid Tumor in Overview
Carcinoid tumor is a rare type of tumor that grows slowly....more
Understanding Your DiagnosisSee All
 Digestive Diagnostic Procedures in Understanding Your Diagnosis
Detailed information on the most common tests and procedures used to diagnosis digestive disorders ...more
 Colorectal Cancer: Diagnosis in Understanding Your Diagnosis
Your doctor might believe you have colorectal cancer based on the results of a routine screening test. Or you might have symptoms that could be caused by colorectal cancer. You will need certain exams and tests to be sure. ...more
 Biopsy in Understanding Your Diagnosis
A detailed look at different types of biopsies, and how and why they are done....more
 Sigmoidoscopy in Understanding Your Diagnosis
A sigmoidoscopy is a diagnostic test to check the lower part of your colon or large intestine (the sigmoid colon). This part of your colon is close to your rectum and anus. ...more
 Colonoscopy in Understanding Your Diagnosis
Colonoscopy is a procedure that lets your healthcare provider check the inside of your entire large intestine or colon. ...more
 Barium Enema in Understanding Your Diagnosis
A barium enema is an imaging test that uses X-rays to look at your lower gastrointestinal (GI) tract. Your lower GI tract includes the large intestine (colon) and rectum. ...more
 Colorectal Cancer: Newly Diagnosed in Understanding Your Diagnosis
Being told you have colorectal cancer can be scary, and you may have many questions. But you have people on your healthcare team to help. ...more
 Colorectal Cancer: Stages in Understanding Your Diagnosis
The stage of a cancer is how much and how far the cancer has spread in your body. Your doctor uses it to decide how to treat the cancer. ...more
 Digestive Diagnostic Procedures in Understanding Your Diagnosis
Detailed information on the most common tests and procedures used to diagnosis digestive disorders ...more
 Colorectal Cancer: Diagnosis in Understanding Your Diagnosis
Your doctor might believe you have colorectal cancer based on the results of a routine screening test. Or you might have symptoms that could be caused by colorectal cancer. You will need certain exams and tests to be sure. ...more
 Biopsy in Understanding Your Diagnosis
A detailed look at different types of biopsies, and how and why they are done....more
 Sigmoidoscopy in Understanding Your Diagnosis
A sigmoidoscopy is a diagnostic test to check the lower part of your colon or large intestine (the sigmoid colon). This part of your colon is close to your rectum and anus. ...more
 Colonoscopy in Understanding Your Diagnosis
Colonoscopy is a procedure that lets your healthcare provider check the inside of your entire large intestine or colon. ...more
 Barium Enema in Understanding Your Diagnosis
A barium enema is an imaging test that uses X-rays to look at your lower gastrointestinal (GI) tract. Your lower GI tract includes the large intestine (colon) and rectum. ...more
 Colorectal Cancer: Newly Diagnosed in Understanding Your Diagnosis
Being told you have colorectal cancer can be scary, and you may have many questions. But you have people on your healthcare team to help. ...more
 Colorectal Cancer: Stages in Understanding Your Diagnosis
The stage of a cancer is how much and how far the cancer has spread in your body. Your doctor uses it to decide how to treat the cancer. ...more
More
Deciding on TreatmentSee All
 Colorectal Cancer: Treatment Choices in Deciding on Treatment
There are various treatment choices for colorectal cancer. Which may work best for you? It depends on a number of factors. These include the type, size, location, and stage of your cancer. Factors also include your age, overall health, and what side effects you’ll find acceptable. ...more
 Colorectal Cancer: Treatment Questions in Deciding on Treatment
Be prepared to talk with your healthcare providers about your colorectal cancer treatment....more
RadiationSurgeryOther Treatments
 Colorectal Cancer: Treatment Choices in Deciding on Treatment
There are various treatment choices for colorectal cancer. Which may work best for you? It depends on a number of factors. These include the type, size, location, and stage of your cancer. Factors also include your age, overall health, and what side effects you’ll find acceptable. ...more
 Colorectal Cancer: Treatment Questions in Deciding on Treatment
Be prepared to talk with your healthcare providers about your colorectal cancer treatment....more
Managing Side EffectsSee All
 General Nutrition Guidelines During Cancer Treatment in Managing Side Effects
You may have difficulty eating or lose your appetite during cancer treatment. Try eating small, frequent meals throughout the day. To improve your appetite, don't drink beverages with your meals. ...more
 Managing Cancer-Related Fatigue in Managing Side Effects, Other Treatment Side Effects
Fatigue can come and go or stay constant for a while. Fatigue from chemotherapy tends to happen a few days after the treatment, peaks, and then gets better before the next treatment. Fatigue from radiation may not happen right away. ...more
Chemotherapy Side EffectsOther Treatment Side Effects
 General Nutrition Guidelines During Cancer Treatment in Managing Side Effects
You may have difficulty eating or lose your appetite during cancer treatment. Try eating small, frequent meals throughout the day. To improve your appetite, don't drink beverages with your meals. ...more
 Managing Cancer-Related Fatigue in Managing Side Effects, Other Treatment Side Effects
Fatigue can come and go or stay constant for a while. Fatigue from chemotherapy tends to happen a few days after the treatment, peaks, and then gets better before the next treatment. Fatigue from radiation may not happen right away. ...more
Cancer FAQsSee All
 Colorectal Cancer: Overview in Cancer FAQs
Colorectal cancer is cancer that starts in either your colon or your rectum. Learn more about symptoms, diagnosis, and treatments. ...more
 Colorectal Cancer: Overview in Cancer FAQs
Colorectal cancer is cancer that starts in either your colon or your rectum. Learn more about symptoms, diagnosis, and treatments. ...more