Understanding the ACS CancerRisk360 Tool
Your daily habits, family history and health choices all shape your risk of cancer, but knowing where to start can be overwhelming. That’s where the American Cancer Society’s CancerRisk360 come in. In just five minutes, this free online assessment helps you identify your personal cancer risk factors and delivers a tailored action plan you can use to guide conversations with your doctor.
We spoke with Dr. Laura Makaroff, senior vice president of prevention and early detection at the American Cancer Society to learn more about her role in the creation of ACS CancerRisk360, why lifestyle changes matter so much, and how this tool can empower people to take charge of their health.
What inspired the creation of the ACS CancerRisk360 online assessment? My background as a primary care physician led me to the American Cancer Society because I wanted to make an impact on a larger scale. In a busy practice, time with patients is limited. The CancerRisk360 assessment gives both patients and doctors a baseline before they even meet, helping patients understand lifestyle changes that can reduce their cancer risk and empowering them to advocate for themselves.
How does the ACS CancerRisk360 tool personalize recommendations? The tool is a free, web-based app built on an automated decision-making matrix. As you answer questions, the tool adapts—each response shapes the next question, creating a unique path based on your answers. For example, a family history response might lead to a different set of follow-up questions. It’s comprehensive and user-centered, producing an individualized action plan at the end. No personal data is stored; users can download or email their plan to keep for themselves and share with their doctor as a conversation starter.
What kinds of lifestyle changes might the ACS CancerRisk360 tool recommend? Recommendations vary based on your personal and family health history, but they can include increasing physical activity, improving diet quality, quitting smoking, limiting alcohol intake, maintaining a healthy weight, and staying on top of recommended screenings. The tool also helps people recognize potential genetic risks so they can get tested early and as often as needed.
Why are lifestyle changes so important for cancer prevention and survivorship? More than 40% of cancer cases in the United States are linked to modifiable risk factors like smoking, excess body weight, alcohol consumption and physical inactivity. While many people connect these habits to heart disease or diabetes, fewer realize their strong link to cancer. Addressing these daily habits can lower risk and support survivorship.
Which changes have the biggest impact on lowering cancer risk? Quitting smoking remains the most significant step. Second to that is maintaining a healthy body weight through balanced nutrition and regular activity. We’re learning more about how excess weight increases cancer risk, and there’s concern obesity may eventually outpace smoking as the leading cause of cancer. Supporting healthy weight from childhood onward is critical.
Visit acscancerrisk360.cancer.org to complete your free assessment and see what steps you can take now for a healthier tomorrow.
