Many people worry more about their health when cancer runs in the family, but a family history of colon cancer may have some benefits.

At 85, Clark Fisher is going strong; gardening, playing sports and enjoying life. It's hard to believe that two years ago he battled colon cancer. 

"It's been a fantastic recovery. I've been very very fortunate."

30 years ago Clark lost a younger brother to colon cancer. And while most colon cancers occur in people with no family history, having a family member with the disease doubles your risk of developing it. 

"A lot of people with a family history are very worried about you know I have this family history, you know my mom had it, my sibling had it, what does that mean for me?" says Dr. Jennifer Chan,  a gastrointestinal oncologist at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute in Boston, MA.

In a recent study at Boston's Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, researchers saw a paradox that may be reassuring. 
 
"What we found was that having a history of colon or rectal cancer in a parent or sibling was associated with improved outcomes among patients with colon cancer."

And the **more** affected relatives, a study participant reported, the **better** their survival odds became. The researchers' next step is to figure out **why.**

"We suspect that there might be some biological differences in the tumors that arise in patients who have a family history compared to those without a family history."

If you have a family history of colorectal cancer, regular screening is key. Men and women with an average risk should begin screening at age 50. With a family history at age 40, or at the age when the relative developed the cancer, whichever is earlier.

AUDIENCE INQUIRY:
For general information on colorectal cancer:
American Cancer Society, http://www.cancer.org, or contact your local chapter
National Cancer Institute, http://www.cancer.gov