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Family Health History Is Important• Knowing your family health history can help you and your family reduce your risk of developing health problems. • We have a better than ever chance of detecting and preventing illnesses for people with a family history of certain conditions through lifestyle changes, screening tests and improved treatments. |
Collect Your Family Health History• Talking to your family is the key way to start collecting your family health history. • This can sometimes be difficult for all sorts of reasons. • There are a number of tips that can help you start. |
My Family Health Record• It is useful to keep a record of your family health history that you can build on over the years. • The simplest way to do this is to click on My Family Health Record, print it out and fill it in. |
Health Conditions• Many health conditions are the result of lifestyle, genetic makeup and a shared environment. • Information is provided for consumers on a number of specific conditions including diabetes type 2, high cholesterol, breast, ovarian, bowel and prostate cancer. |
Talking To Your Doctor• One of the most important things you can do is discuss your family health history with your doctor. • If you know your family’s health history you are able to provide your doctor with the best information so they can give you the best possible advice. |
Common Questions• Some frequently asked questions about collecting and using family health history. |
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• Most people think that family health history is important but most people haven't actually collected their own. • Family health history can provide information about your health risks and your children’s for certain conditions such as diabetes type 2, high cholesterol and some cancers. • Knowing your family health history can reduce your risk of developing health problems and it may even save your life or that of your children. • The best way to learn about your family health history is to talk to your family. • Your doctor is the one that can advise you how best to predict, prevent or treat health problems that have affected previous generations. Help your doctor to help you! |