Cancer. It's a frightening word and finding out you've been diagnosed with one of the many forms of the disease can be devastating. When Robert Gallery of Bryan learned he had colon cancer, he decided then and there he wasn't going to throw in the towel without a fight.

Gallery, a decorated war veteran thought he had fought his last battle during World War II but, more than 15 years ago he learned he was in new fight for his life and this time the enemy was, colon cancer.

Once diagnosed, this Silver Star recipient began undergoing treatment and with his wife by his side and qualified physicians to plan and plot the battle plan that would one day lead him to victory over his cancer, Robert put his life in their hands and his faith in a higher being.

Cancer survivor, Robert Gallery says, "I have no indications of cancer coming back in my body since the treatments and surgery. Two good doctors, a good wife and the man up here…I'm here today."

When it comes to colon cancer, Robert knows the stats. He knows the disease is the third most diagnosed cancer in men and that this year alone…an estimated 50,000 patients will die. But he also knows that if caught in time, no one has to die at all and that's why he's always willing to give out some sound advice.

"When you get up in the fifties, you start going to the doctor and get a colonoscopys and start out on the five year program," says Gallery

Robert's road to recovery wasn't easy, besides undergoing surgery, often times Robert was left weak from his treatments, suffering some side effects to his chemotherapy, but thanks to the quality care he received, he's able to live cancer free, fifteen year's after his initial diagnosis.

Robert remembers his war with colon cancer and says he's grateful for every new day and in many ways credits his cancer experience for his new outlook on life. That's why these days Robert focuses his attention to his favorite pass times…golfing, walking with his wife hand in hand and for anyone who knows the Gallery's, their life wouldn't be complete without Junior, the family pet who's nuzzled his way into becoming so more than just a pet.

"He keeps us active…we walk every night. I say okay, let's go walking. You want to go walking Junior, you like to walk don't you."

It's important for men to know that a diet high in fat and a family history of colorectal cancer could put them at risk for developing the disease.