By Maura Keller
There’s so much you can do lower your risk for disease, and much of it is following oft-repeated advice: Eat a healthy diet, exercise most days of the week, get preventive health screenings and avoid unhealthy habits, such as smoking.
But, there’s another risk factor that requires consideration: your family health history. Some common causes of illness and disability have a genetic component. And it’s been proven that some illnesses and conditions can be predicted, diagnosed and prevented by studying our own family trees.
Knowing your genetic health history can help your doctor determine which screenings or preventive tests may be most beneficial for you.
Dr. Morgan White, family medicine physician at UW Health and assistant professor of family medicine and community health at the University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, talked to us about the importance of uncovering your family health history.
Why is it important that I study my family’s health history?
Dr. White: Understanding your family health history is an important step in managing your wellbeing. It helps you and your health care team identify whether you may be at increased risk for certain conditions that could require closer monitoring. It can also determine whether you are eligible for genetic testing to assess if you carry specific genetic variants associated with disease. Many conditions — such as diabetes, heart disease and certain cancers — are more likely to occur when there is a family history, making this information essential for proactive care.
How should I go about finding out my family medical history?
Dr. White: I recommend beginning with your first-degree relatives — parents, siblings and children — as their medical histories are most relevant in assessing your risk for certain conditions. For second-degree relatives, such as grand- parents, aunts and uncles, be sure to note whether they are on your maternal or paternal side. When gathering information, aim for as much detail as possible. For example, rather than simply stating that your father has heart disease, it is more helpful to specify whether he has hypertension, coronary artery disease or atrial fibrillation.
Once I have this information, what is the best way for me to share this with my health care professional?
Dr. White: Bring this information with you the next time you go to your doctor or, alternatively, some electronic medical record [systems] let you update family health history on your portal.
What are typical next steps after I share my family’s health history with my doctor?
Dr. White: Next steps depend on your family health history and whether it reveals any actionable information. In many cases, no further action is needed.
However, certain findings may warrant additional screening or evaluation. For example, a family history of colon or breast cancer in a first-degree relative may indicate the need for earlier cancer screening. Similarly, a history of structural heart disease in first-degree relatives could lead to a recommendation for a screening echocardiogram. In some cases, if your family history suggests a genetic condition, you may be referred to a genetic counselor to discuss genetic testing.
