You may remember stories of your father’ s military service and your mother’ s hometown, but how much do you know about your family’ s medical history? In particular, do you know whether anyone on your mom or dad’ s side ever had cancer?
“ Family history can be one of the first lines of defense in
The first-degree relatives tend to be the most crucial. This is because you share 50 % of your DNA with them. A genetic susceptibility to cancer does not guarantee that you will get cancer, but you have a higher risk. preventing cancer,” says Dr Huma Q Rana, clinical director of the Centre for Cancer Genetics and Prevention at Harvard-affiliated Dana- Farber Cancer Institute.
“ If you can get a picture of the patterns of cancer on both sides of your family, you can screen for certain cancers more closely and either prevent them or catch them early.” And if you do get cancer, your genetic heritage might provide clues to help your doctor choose targeted therapies to treat it.
All in the family
Your family’ s cancer history should include your first-degree relatives – father, mother, and siblings – as well as your second-degree relatives, if possible – aunts, uncles, and grandparents. Note what type of cancer occurred, the age at diagnosis, as well as the age at which the person died and the cause of death.
The first-degree relatives tend to be the most crucial.“ This is because you share 50 % of your DNA with them. A genetic susceptibility to cancer does not guarantee that you will get cancer, but you have a higher risk,” says Dr Rana.
Lifestyle and environmental factors
HEALTH & NUTRITION February 2018 23