Early detection, stresses Dr. Burt, is absolutely critical for curative treatment. People who wait until they experience colon cancer's symptoms place themselves at a serious disadvantage for being successfully treated. Dr. Burt says that with the proper diet, regular exercise, and a healthy body weight people may greatly reduce their risk of colon cancer. It is important to remember, however, that these good habits should never be considered a substitute for screening. Another important risk for colon cancer that determines the optimal screening regimen is family history.
Colon cancer appears to occur in families more often than any other cancer.
People with an immediate relative who has or has had colon cancer, exhibit a two to three fold increased risk of developing colon cancer compared to the general population. These people should absolutely have screening and the screening should start at a younger age and be more aggressive. He is interested in the origins of the universe, black holes, supernovas, and megatiny, subatomic particles of nuclear physics that most people can't pronounce.