Power Your Life

Your family health history is a record of the diseases and health conditions that affect or affected people in your family. 

You and your family members share genes. The genes you get from your family can affect things like what you look like and if you are more likely to develop certain diseases.

The health history of your family is important information because in many cases, healthy habits can reduce your risk for developing diseases that run in your family.

The most common conditions that run in families are certain types of cancers, type 2 diabetes, and heart disease. Talking about your family's medical history with your provider can help you establish habits now to reduce your future health risks.

For example, if you have a parent or sibling who had breast cancer, your provider may recommend you start getting regular mammograms earlier than generally recommended. This can help catch any signs of breast cancer early so it can be effectively treated.

Talk to close relatives from both sides of your family to start collecting your family health history. This may include parents, siblings, grandparents, aunts, uncles, nieces, and nephews. Talk to these family members about what conditions they have or had, and at what age these conditions were diagnosed. Don’t forget to collect as much information as you can about family members who have passed away.

Having a discussion with your provider about your family history can help you know what habits and screening tests are most important for you.

This information may be especially important if you are planning a pregnancy. Your family health history may include a condition that could affect your baby, even if you don’t have it. Remember to gather the health history of your partner’s family, too. Knowing this information and sharing it with your healthcare provider before a pregnancy can give you time to address any concerns. 

My Family Health Portrait is a helpful tool to help you keep track of your family health information.