Thomas G. Orr Memorial Lectureship. Colon cancer from etiology to prevention.
BACKGROUND
Recent changes in healthcare have resulted in a general malaise among physicians leading to negative advice to young people about career choices in the medical field. The author uses his experiences in academic surgery to show that medicine continues to be an exciting and desirable career choice.


METHODS
Relevant literature from surgery, toxicology, molecular biology, carcinogenesis, and epidemiology fields.


CONCLUSIONS
Significant advances have occurred in the understanding of colon cancer. These advances have occurred because of extensive collaborations across many different scientific fields. The methods used and the collaborations involved provide a model for other physicians to unravel the mysteries of disease and to make academic medicine fun and exciting. The risk of colon cancer depends on genetically determined factors that combine with environmental exposure (diet) to determine risk. Microwaving meat before cooking and eating more cruciferous vegetables may reduce this risk. Additional prevention steps are in the planning stages.
Lang
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Department of Surgery, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, VA Hospital, Little Rock, USA.
D002321:Career Choice; D003110:Colonic Neoplasms / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000517:prevention & control; D013502:General Surgery; D006801:Humans