Family history as a tool for prevention in primary care
The
Oregon Chronic Disease Genomics Program has published a compact,
information-filled article on using family health history for
prevention of several chronic diseases in the
July 11, 2006 edition of the CD Summary,
an epidemiology publication of the Public Health Division, Oregon
Department of Human Services. The good news is that knowing about your
family history can give you and your healthcare provider the tools to
keep you well. In most cases, a family history of something helps you
either prevent or make a timely diagnosis of adult-onset diseases
because you know to be watching for them. This contributes to better
outcomes and health over the long term. Here are few fun facts from
this piece:
* If your first degree relative (a parent, a
brother or sister or child) has type 2 diabetes, your chances are
doubled to develop type 2 diabetes, as well.
* Among people
who were older than 45 years of age, were overweight and had a family
history of type 2 diabetes, less than one third were worried about
their risk to develop type 2 diabetes themselves.
* If you have
a first degree relative (parent, brother, sister or child) who had
cardiovascular disease before age 50, if male, or age 60, if female,
you should have your blood checked for signs that you are also at risk
for CVD.
* If you have a family tree that suggests that CVD is
running in the family (more than one affected relative, showing up in
more than one generation, onset early in at least some relatives), this
may suggest you have a very strongly hereditary condition that results
in CVD in your family.
* If you belong to one of these
families that is strongly predisposed to develop CVD, there are very
good options for prevention and treatment to greatly reduce your risk.
* 25% of people diagnosed with colorectal cancer have a relative who also has /had the disease.
* Colorectal cancer can be detected early and has a very high cure rate if diagnosed early.
* Family history of breast cancer is relevant to your risk, whether it comes from your mother or father's side.
*
If you have concerns about your family history of ANY condition, talk
to your healthcare provider about this and discuss being referred to
consult with a genetic counselor, a medical geneticist, or other
healthcare professional who specializes in assessing familial risk for
adult-onset diseases.
Return to: U of M Home: The Minnesota Gene Pool Home 
Comments
25% of people diagnosed with colorectal cancer have a relative who also has /had the disease.
It's really vigh high.
Posted by: youtube downloader | June 25, 2008 8:43 AM