Update Your Doctor on Your Family's Health

Native News Network Staff in Native Health. Discussion »

National Cancer Institute

BETHESDA, MARYLAND - Talking with family members at family reunions or powwows about your family's medical history may be a healthy thing to do.

And, then talking to your family doctor about your family history can play an important role in determining what types of cancer screening tests your doctor recommends.

Your family's medical history is one of the best tools for predicting your risk for developing cancer and other disorders. That's why doctors usually ask about your family's health the first time you visit.

National Institutes of Health funded researchers across the country set out to learn how changes in family history might affect a patient's cancer risk and the screening tests recommended by standard guidelines. They combed through family health data collected over a decade from more than 11,000 people who had a personal or family history of cancer.

Their study focused on colon, breast and prostate cancers. Family history of these cancers may warrant earlier screening or more sensitive tests than those recommended for other people.

Dr. Sharon Plon

The analysis showed that family histories of cancer change significantly when people are between ages 30 and 50 years. The researchers recommend that doctors maintain accurate information for their patients by getting a comprehensive family history by age 30, and then updating it at least every 5 to 10 years.

"Many patients make lists of questions for the doctor before their appointments, and we hope they add changes to their family history to those lists," says lead researcher Dr. Sharon Plon of Baylor College of Medicine. "Our results are relevant for all patients, since anyone may have a change that would affect their cancer screening recommendations."

posted August 23, 2011 9:20 am edt