Even though they have the greatest risk of developing and dying from colorectal cancer, 96 percent of black American women don't consider themselves to be at high risk for the disease, according to a new national online survey of 505 black women aged 40 and older.

This misconception means that 70 percent of black women over age 45 do not get potentially life-saving screening for colorectal cancer.

The survey found that only 6 percent of black women over age 45 discussed colorectal cancer the last time they saw their health-care provider because: they didn't think they were at particular risk (27 percent); their doctor didn't bring it up (15 percent); or they didn't think there was a reason to discuss the matter (16 percent).

Most black women over age 40 said they would be more likely to get screened for colorectal cancer if: they believed they were at risk (94 percent); if they had symptoms (95 percent); if they were not afraid to find out the results (70 percent); if the tests were not so unpleasant (71 percent); and if the side effects of cancer treatment were not so bad (73 percent).

The Harris Interactive survey was conducted for the National Women's Health Resource Center and the Black Women's Health Imperative, which have launched an educational campaign to increase colorectal cancer screening among black women. It's called African-American Women Dare to Be Aware.

"Colorectal cancer is not color blind and it has a penchant for African-American women. Our mission is to let every African-American woman in this country know why it's so critical for them to get screened early," Lorraine Cole, president of the Imperative, said in a prepared statement.