Genetic Epidemiology Risk Assessment Program or Usual Care in Colorectal Cancer Screening for Healthy Participants

DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS: * Healthy participants meeting the following criteria: * No personal history of colorectal polyps or cancer or inflammatory bowel disease * No family history of familial adenomatous polyposis, hereditary nonpolyposis colorectal cancer (CRC), or CRC in more than 1 first-degree relative * Nonadherent with standard CRC screening recommendations at the time of their index office visit PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS: * Able to communicate with ease in English PRIOR CONCURRENT THERAPY: * More than 6 weeks since prior antibiotics or antifolate medications (e.g., sulfasalazine, methotrexate)