Family Health History
Through developments in technology we now know more than ever about particular health conditions that can be passed on to biological (blood) family members and in some cases how to predict, prevent and treat these conditions.
Knowing your family health history is about documenting and understanding the illnesses that have affected previous generations e.g. knowing if your grandmother had breast cancer or if your dad's brother had heart disease. By knowing this valuable information you can understand some of the health conditions that you might be at an increased risk of developing, and in some cases, you might be able to take preventative measures to reduce your risk.
There are many health conditions that can be passed on by family members however, it is important to remember that lifestyle factors can also play a part in the chances of developing a condition e.g. smoking or an unhealthy diet.
When discussing your family health history with your relatives, you should think about some well-known conditions such as type 2 diabetes, high cholesterol, breast and ovarian cancer, bowel cancer and prostate cancer.
The more information you might have about your family health history, the better your doctor can predict the conditions to which you might be at risk.
- Talking to your family
- My family health record
- Tips on talking to your family
- Health conditions
- Talking to your doctor
Talking to your family
People with a family health history of some conditions have a lot to gain from lifestyle changes and screening tests. It might be difficult at first to talk about your family health history with relatives and you might even feel like the bearer of bad news. However, it is important to remember the benefits of knowing this information for you and your children.
When documenting your family health history, you should think about the health of family members that are related to you by blood only. This includes your:
• Father
• Mother
• Sister(s)
• Brother(s)
• Children
• Grandparents
• Aunts (parent’s sisters)
• Uncles (parent’s brothers)
• Cousins
It is of greatest importance to know the health of your first degree (immediate) relatives. First degree relatives are your father, mother, siblings and children. Your grandparents, aunts, uncles and cousins are known as your second degree relatives.
How to record your family health history
A helpful tool to use while documenting your family health history might be My Family Health Record.
You can also record your family health history by following the steps below:
Step one: Start by writing down your details. Include if you have had type 2 diabetes, high cholesterol or cancer (breast, ovarian, bowel or prostate cancer). If so, also include your age when you were first diagnosed.
Step two: Write the same information above for your first degree relatives. Also document if any of these relatives have died from one of the conditions listed above.
Step three: Try to think about the same information for your second degree relatives. You might have to talk to someone you feel comfortable with to find out this information.
Step four: Start to include other conditions that have occurred more than once in your family.
Important things to look for:
A combination of type 2 diabetes and high cholesterol in any of your relatives.
Breast, ovarian, bowel or prostate cancer in more than one relative.
If any relatives have had certain combinations such as breast and ovarian cancer.
If a relative has been affected by a condition that doesn’t usually affect their gender e.g. breast cancer in a male.
What if I can’t contact some family members?
The distance between family members, illness, uncertainty about parentage and the absence of older generations can make it impossible to contact family members or find out information about their health history. If this is the case, think about your family health history as something for future generations where you are the starting point.
Keep it safe
Try to keep your family health history record in a safe place, where you can easily access it to add more information as it becomes available or if you need it for a medical appointment.
Tips on talking to your family:
- Talk to a relative/s you feel comfortable with.
- Choose an appropriate time and situation to ask for the information.
- Explain how this information is for the benefit of your health and for future generations.
- Write the information down and add to your list as new information is found.
- Don't worry if your list is incomplete.
- Documenting your family health history is not usually an urgent task. So, take your time and remember that it is an on-going process.
Health conditions
It is beneficial to know as much about your family health history as possible. At the very least though, you should find out if some of the more common conditions listed below have affected your relatives.
Type 2 diabetes
If someone in your family has type 2 diabetes, you are at an increased risk of developing the disease. Diabetes type 2 represents 85 - 90% of all cases of diabetes and is known as mature onset or non-insulin dependent diabetes. For more information on type 2 diabetes read Fact Sheet 57.
High cholesterol and heart disease
High cholesterol and heart disease are caused by a combination of genetic factors and lifestyle habits. If you or your family members have had a heart attack, stroke or high cholesterol before the age of 60 it is important to talk to your doctor. In some families there is a much stronger inherited risk of high cholesterol. For more information read Fact Sheet 53 and Fact Sheet 54.
Breast and ovarian cancer
All women have a chance of getting breast cancer at sometime in their life. The majority of cases occur without the presence of a family history of breast cancer. However, if you have more than one relative with breast or ovarian cancer or a relative who developed it before the age of 50 years you may be at a higher risk.
Ovarian cancer is uncommon. However, if you have a relative who has had cancer of the breast or ovary, you may be at increased risk of ovarian cancer. For more information on breast and ovarian cancer read Fact Sheet 48.
Bowel Cancer
If your mother, father, brother or sister or a number of other relatives have had bowel cancer, you could be at a higher risk of developing it, even if you're under 50. You may need to do some tests to look very carefully for early bowel cancers. For more information on bowel cancer read Fact Sheet 49.
Prostate cancer
Prostate cancer is the most common cancer in Australian men. It occurs mainly in men aged over 65 and is uncommon in men under 50. If you have a father or brother who has had prostate cancer, your chance of developing the disease may be higher and it may begin at a younger age. For more information on prostate cancer read Fact Sheet 51.
Talking to your doctor
Try to remember that just because you have a family health history of a particular condition, it doesn’t mean you are at a high risk. It might be a small increase in risk compared to the general population.
The more information you might have about your family health history, the better your doctor can predict the conditions to which you might be at risk.
Tips on talking to your doctor:
- Talk to your doctor when you are well. You might be able to make some lifestyle changes.
- Have your family health history written down. You could use My Family Health Record.
- Find out about key conditions you can discuss.
- Keep your list brief (don’t worry about researching every possible condition. Your doctor will best advise you).
What if the doctor isn’t interested in my family health history?
Sometimes your doctor may not appear interested in your family health history or feel it is relevant. This may be because you are at a low risk of the condition and there is no need to be concerned.
However, if you are concerned try to keep it brief. Ensure that you have explained your concerns. Make sure you follow up at another time or with another doctor.
What if I don’t have a regular doctor?
Some people don’t have a regular doctor. However, when you do visit a doctor you will need to have a good understanding of your family health history. By informing the doctor of your family health history you are allowing them to help you with your concerns.