Study of the Results of Education and Counseling for Persons Undergoing Genetic Testing for Hereditary Nonpolyposis Colon Cancer

RATIONALE: Identifying family and individual characteristics may help plan education and counseling for patients who are considering genetic testing.
PURPOSE: This clinical trial is studying education and counseling to see what effect they have in patients who are undergoing genetic testing for hereditary nonpolyposis colon cancer (recruitment of new families with HNPCC stopped as of 04-26-06, recruitment of persons within families already participating continues).