Register for Family health history can provide key information about future health
risks
Holidays and Vacations are Ideal Times to Talk with Family Members about
their Health History
(PHILADELPHIA, June 13, 2005) – Whether barbequing with family members at a summer reunion or vacation, taking advantage of time spent with loved ones can help to uncover valuable information about your health history. Although you may not remember Aunt Betty’s health conditions, her ailments may help you learn more about your own health risks. Family health history can provide key information, including risks for certain inherited conditions and health problems such as heart disease, diabetes and some cancers.
Family health history can also provide clues about the adult onset disorders,
such as Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s and Huntington’s diseases. Adult onset
disorders generally do not show symptoms until a person is 30 or older. As
people age and see their parents or loved ones suffering from the effects of
Alzheimer’s or other adult onset disorders, many wonder if they too are at risk
for these diseases. By discovering your family history, you can learn more about
the disorders that may be present in your family and may be able to help delay
or minimize the effects.
Creating a family tree is an easy way to start documenting family history. This
tree, also known as a pedigree, shows links between family members and focuses
on the medical and health information for each relative.
“Creating a medical family tree begins with communication,” explained Kelly
Ormond, president of the National Society of Genetic Counselors. “This summer,
spend time talking with your
family members about their health history. Write down the medical information
for several generations of your family including grandparents, parents,
siblings, children and yourself. Once you create a family tree, keep it in a
safe place, and keep it updated. It’s a great way to stay in touch with extended
family.”
Begin tracking your family’s history in a few easy steps:
- Speak with your relatives. Family reunions, vacations and holiday gatherings are wonderful opportunities for relatives to contribute information.
- Make a list of family members. Begin with your parents, siblings, and your own children. Next, go back one generation at a time.
- Write down as much information as possible about aunts, uncles, cousins and grandparents. Include age and birthday. If you don’t know a relative’s exact age, estimate if they are in their early 40s, late 60s.
- Remember to include nationalities for each person. Often genetic problems occur in specific ethnic groups.
- List any health conditions that affect each family member. If possible, include information about the age of onset. For relatives with known medical problems, indicate if they smoked, diet and exercise habits, and if they were overweight.
Although they are a great way to learn about your family’s history, medical
family trees are also becoming a standard medical tool. While it may be
difficult to recall family health problems or conditions, establishing a family
tree helps to keep information organized and can prove valuable to medical
professionals. Medical family trees can help a doctor or genetic counselor
identify health factors early on that may otherwise be overlooked. Knowing
health risks empowers patients by helping them identify options for health
management, such as early detection or preventive measures.
To learn more about creating a medical family tree or to download a free family
history tool, visit the National Society of Genetic Counselors (www.nsgc.org)
website.
