**Abstract** **Background.** Narrower time frames appear to increase perceived risk and intentions to engage in risk-aversive behaviours. In two online experiments, we tested how manipulating risk information about colorectal cancer (CRC) influenced risk perception and preventive behaviours. **Methods.** 902 men and women aged 45-54 were recruited from an English online panel. Study 1 (N=132) investigated how communicating CRC mortality instead of incidence rates influences on risk perception, controlling for temporal effect, and with the intention to include it in study 2. In study 2 (N=770), CRC incidence was described as occurring yearly, daily or hourly. The primary outcome measures were risk perception, intention to engage in preventive behaviours and whether participants chose to read information about ways to reduce CRC risk or skipped it to finish the survey. **Results.** Study 1 did not find a difference in intention based on information about the risk of developing vs the risk of dying from CRC. In study 2, while communicating CRC incidence occurring as every day increased information seeking behaviour compared to every year and every hour (57.4% vs 45.9% vs 45.6%, p=0.012), individuals in the daily condition were less likely to get all comprehension questions right (69.9% vs 78.2% vs 85.0% respectively, p=0.015). Temporal framing had no impact on perceived risk or intentions to engage in risk-reducing behaviours. **Conclusion.** While manipulating risk information in terms of temporal framing did not increase perceived risk, it may influence people’s decision to engage with the information in the first place.