Why it’s so important to do a family tree...
Everyone has a unique set of inherited traits; maybe you have your dad’s silky black hair or your mom’s beautiful brown eyes. Now, medical experts also say that one-third to one-half of your potential health problems may have their origins in your family’s medical history. And they agree that knowing this information will help keep you healthy and could help save your life.

Before you panic, understand that your family history does not automatically imply high risk. It is very possible that a serious disease in your family is a chance occurrence, affecting your relatives in the same way that it affects the rest of the population and presenting little or no increased risk to you.

But all risk is a matter of degree. You are at greatest risk of getting cancer or other diseases if a first-degree relative has had or has it. First-degree relatives are parents, brothers and sisters and children. Second-degree relatives are grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins and half-siblings. Your risk of getting sick from second-degree relatives is much less than your risk from first-degree relatives.

It’s very important to not only identify diseases your family members had or have, but also to find out how old they were when they first got sick. The earlier your relative is diagnosed the higher the probability that it could be passed on to you, placing you in a higher-risk category.

Now that you know how important it is to fill out your family tree, print a template (this is a PDF)and create your own. You are ready now to talk to as many relatives and friends, (if family members are not available), as possible and do some very interesting detective work.

Family Trees work for blood relatives only. If you are adopted, you will need to find out the health history of your family of origin.

If your family tree shows you are at higher risk for certain diseases, your doctor may suggest that you begin screening and early detection methods at a younger age than the cancer advisory organizations’ guidelines on the Self chec Web site. Either way you are in a win-win situation.

By using your cancer risk tool, completing the your family tree (PDF) template on this page and filling out your PERSONAL check list (PDF) on the Well Doctor page, you can help your doctor or healthcare professional talk to you about cancer prevention, regular checkups and special cancer screening tests you may need.