Family medical history important tool

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With Mayo Clinic genetic counselor Carrie A. Zabel, M.S., C.G.C.

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November 18, 2008

Family medical history important tool

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By Carrie A. Zabel, M.S., C.G.C.

In 2003, the U.S. surgeon general announced that Thanksgiving Day would also be recognized as the first annual "National Family History Day."

As we move closer to the 5th anniversary of this celebrated event, I hope to provide you with information about how to take and interpret your own family medical history.

This month, we will review the right questions to ask, how to ask them and how to put the data into a format that can be more easily interpreted by your health provider.

We have long known that diseases run in families and thus, your family medical history is an important tool which enables you to better understand your health risks. However, understanding those risks is only a part of the health solution.

Medical professionals hope that, by recognizing what diseases you may be at risk for, you may be more inclined to alter any unhealthy lifestyle habits that also increase your risk to develop disease.

When reviewing your family medical history, it is important to know which diseases to focus on. Diseases which are known to run in families include:

Cardiovascular disease (hypertension and stroke)
Cancer
Diabetes
Mental illness
Osteoporosis
Arthritis
Obesity

Professionals generally suggest that you collect at least three generations of medical history. Relatives whose medical history has the most impact on you include your first- (children, siblings and parents) and second-degree relatives (grandchildren, nieces/nephews, aunts/uncles and grandparents).

Record any of the above medical diagnoses and the ages when people were diagnosed. Also, pay attention to possible environmental contributors in affected relatives. For instance, if someone developed diabetes, what were their exercise and eating habits?

Links to additional information about family medical history can be found below. Please share your stories about your personal family history and how it has impacted your health and lifestyle!