Genes, family history and health
Family health history is often one of the strongest risk factors for common diseases, such as heart disease, diabetes, cancer, and osteoporosis.
It plays a critical role in assessing the risk of inherited medical conditions and single gene disorders. Certain types of cancers, like breast cancer, can be more prevalent in families with a history of the disease.
Understanding your family health history can help identify people with a higher-than-usual chance of having common disorders. This information is a very important risk factor for health problems and can guide in making informed decisions about lifestyle and healthcare.
Diseases running in families
Diseases that commonly run in families include heart disease, asthma, diabetes, and certain types of cancer. However, everyone's family health history of disease is different and unique to their genetic makeup. The key features of a family health history that may increase risk are:
- Diseases that occur at an earlier age than expected (10 to 20 years before most people get the disease)
- Disease in more than one close relative
- Disease that does not usually affect a certain gender (e.g., breast cancer in a male)
- Certain combinations of diseases within a family (e.g., breast and ovarian cancer, or heart disease and diabetes)
Having a comprehensive understanding of one's family health history allows for early detection and prevention measures, more informed decision-making, and personalised medical treatments based on individual genetic profiles.
A study published in the American Journal of Preventive Medicine found that individuals with a family history of diabetes had a 2.3 times higher risk of developing the disease compared to those without a family history. Similarly, a meta-analysis published in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology showed that individuals with a positive family history of coronary artery disease had a 1.7 times higher risk of developing the condition.
Importance of family health history
Knowing one's family health history allows a person to take steps to reduce their risk. For people at an increased risk of certain cancers, healthcare professionals may recommend more frequent screening (such as mammography or colonoscopy) starting at an earlier age. Healthcare providers may also encourage regular checkups or testing for people with a condition that runs in their family. Additionally, lifestyle changes such as adopting a healthier diet, getting regular exercise, and quitting smoking help many people lower their chances of developing heart disease and other common illnesses.