Colon Cancer Risk Assessment Quiz

First, let’s be clear. Colon cancer, also known as colorectal cancer, is an equal opportunity disease which affects men and women equally. Your heritage and certain lifestyle habits may certainly increase your risk of contracting colon cancer, but there are also individuals who are not in a high bracket for colon cancer, yet still can face such a diagnosis.

Thus assessing your personal risk for colon cancer is important. Learning that you are considered high risk for contracting the disease may mean earlier and more frequent screening in order to monitor your health and keep an eye on any abnormalities before they become cancerous.

One of the most frustrating facts about colon cancer is just how easily it can be prevented, yet so many cases prove fatal each year. Colon cancer screening via a colonoscopy may not be high on your to-do list, but if you knew there was a way to prevent your having a potentially fatal disease, would you wait even one more day to schedule an appointment with your gastroenterologist?

Colon cancer’s most common symptom is actually “nothing”, i.e., you may not feel a thing until the disease progresses. Your colon is big enough to conceal and accommodate any abnormal growths to a certain point. It can take months, if not years, before patients seek the care of a doctor, and then the cancer may have grown or spread to other areas of the body.

In order to determine if you should seek colon cancer screening or, at the very least, discuss your risk factor with your doctor, we invite you to take our colon cancer risk assessment quiz below.

1. Are you 50+ years old? YES or NO

2. Are you African-American and over the age of 45? YES or NO

3. Do you have a personal or family history of colon polyps, colon cancer, ulcerative colitis or Crohn’s disease? YES OR NO

4. Are you of African-American or Ashkenazi Jewish heritage? YES or NO

5. Do you have Type-2 diabetes? YES or No

6. Do you smoke tobacco products? YES or NO

7. Are you overweight or obese? YES or NO

8. Would you describe your alcohol intake as heavy? YES or NO

9. Is your diet high in red and/or processed meats? YES or NO

YOUR RESULTS: If you answered “YES” to any of these questions, then you might be at a higher risk for colorectal cancer. If you answered in the affirmative to questions #1-5, your risk factor may be even higher than those individuals who only answered “YES” to questions #6-9 as your age, family medical history, and heritage can make you predisposed to a higher risk of colon cancer.

What now? If after taking our risk assessment quiz you believe you are at a higher risk for colon cancer, we strongly encourage you to contact the Center for Colonoscopy Excellence to discuss scheduling a colonoscopy screening.