Knowing your family’s medical history could save your life.  That might sound like an overstatement, since your genes are the one health factor you absolutely cannot control.  But—as the saying goes—“knowledge is power.”

Shira Capellini, a health services researcher, explained, “You want to get to know your opponent.  Knowing what you’re up against gives you the upper hand.”

Of course, leading a healthy lifestyle—including an exercise routine, sensible diet, and proper rest—will go a long way toward mitigating your chances of developing a chronic disease.  In fact, the World Health Organization estimates that 80% of chronic disease is modifiable or preventable by the choices you make.

As a complement to that healthy lifestyle, a detailed family medical history will allow you and your primary care physician to be proactive with respect to tests and screenings.  Although you can’t change your genes, knowing what to look for is a substantial first step toward staying healthy.

So how much information do you need to collect for your family’s medical history?  Shira suggests going back at least to your grandparents and, if you can, your great-grandparents.

Here’s a list of specific situations cited by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention as possible indicators for increased risk:

• 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 (for example, breast cancer in a male)
• Certain combinations of diseases within a family (for example, breast and ovarian cancer, or heart disease and diabetes) (1)

Now that you know the importance of having access to your family’s medical history, you may be wondering how to start putting one together.  Here are a couple of pointers:

Appoint a family historian.  You can take this upon yourself or seek volunteers.  Once chosen, let it be known that this person will be gathering information and making it available to everyone.  It’s a good idea to use family holidays and gatherings as times to gather and share information.

Use My Family Health Portrait.  This is a web-based program provided by the U.S. Surgeon General to help you and your relatives create and maintain your family’s medical history.  You can share information with other family members and even print out a copy of your medical history for your primary care physician.

Keep in mind that speaking with family members about their medical histories can be difficult.  Many people are uncomfortable talking about their health.  Therefore, it is important to stress how very useful a family medical history will be to the entire family. 

Although it will require some work up front, once the information is compiled, it will only need to be updated occasionally.  It will also give you the opportunity to get to know your extended family better.

Your health is important so it only makes sense to use all the tools at your disposal to protect it.  While your family’s medical history is something you cannot control or change, having this information will help you and your doctor better chart your path to total body wellness.