My grandfather and my uncle both died from colorectal cancer, my dad almost died from it and I have the gene for it.

Abdul-Jabbar frames colorectal cancer not as an abstract health risk but as an inherited, family-verified threat. By listing multiple close relatives affected and adding that he carries “the gene,” he underscores how hereditary syndromes can sharply elevate risk and make screening and vigilance urgent rather than optional. The quote also functions rhetorically as testimony: a public figure uses personal family history to legitimize concern, reduce stigma around discussing colorectal cancer, and encourage preventive action. Implicitly, it highlights the intersection of genetics, family medical history, and survivorship—suggesting that awareness and early detection can be life-saving even when predisposition is strong.