Your family medical history identifies health risks so you can take early action

YOUR BEAUTIFUL EYES? From Grandma, for sure! And that talent for storytelling? Obviously from your father. But what about your risk for breast cancer or heart disease?

A propensity for these diseases—along with conditions such as stroke, diabetes, high blood pressure and asthma—also can be inherited. So what can you do? “A multigenerational medical history helps your physician spot family patterns, anticipate your health risks and be preventive instead of solely reactive,” says David A. Ellington, M.D., American Academy of Family Physicians board member.

Watch for Trends

To assess health risks, search your family medical history for recurring diagnoses, especially those at early ages. For example, if one or more women in your family were diagnosed with breast cancer before 60, the average patient age, Dr. Ellington says that raises a red flag. “It triggers screening investigations at an earlier age, and possibly more often, than the general population,” he explains.

Similarly, if several relatives were diagnosed with colon cancer before 50, the recommended age for a first-time colonoscopy, you may want to begin colon screenings sooner.

Choose Wisely

While it’s impossible to choose your genes, you can make healthy choices that reduce your risk for certain potentially inherited diseases. Dr. Ellington explains: “If there’s a family pattern of type 2 diabetes, early on your physician will stress lifestyle issues that help prevent the disease, such as maintaining your weight, exercising and not smoking. That puts you in control of your health—and your life.”

Investigate Your Ancestors

Your family health history cast of characters begins with parents and siblings, or first-degree relatives, and then branches off to second-degree relatives, including grandparents, aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews and cousins. For each person, document diagnosed diseases, the age when first diagnosed and, if pertinent, your relative’s age and cause of death. Because some medical conditions have possible ethnic links, include race and country of birth. Note lifestyle factors, too, since smoking, alcoholism, obesity and environment often can influence disease onset as much as genetic predisposition.

—By Donna Shyrer