Not to toot my own horn, but I've been saying this since my column debuted in 2005. Now, a Cleveland Clinic study has confirmed the value of a family health history. Dr. Charis Eng, a cancer geneticist at the clinic's Genomic Medicine Institute, calls the family health history "the best kept secret in health care."
The study found that creating an accurate family tree can "trump costly genetic testing in predicting potential illnesses." Another study of 2,500 women conducted by Chicago's NorthShore University health system reminds us to gather information from both sides of the family. As an example, it was noted that women know less about their paternal relatives and tend to dismiss the threat of breast cancer if it's on their father's side.
As Thanksgiving is upon us, the surgeon general again urges you to talk about your health history. Knowing what runs in the family can highlight patterns and trends that may be useful in diagnosing medical conditions. Its value extends to determining appropriate tests and creating treatment plans that include preventive measures you can take to lower your risk of getting a particular disease.
A web-based tool called "My Family Health Portrait" is available at https://familyhistory.hhs.gov/. The finished document will create a graphic representation of health disorders that may move to the next generation.
So, while Uncle Steven is carving the bird, gather as many generations of blood relatives as possible, including parents, grandparents, sisters, brothers, aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, children and grandchildren. Break out the wine and play "what killed Nana Betty?"
Be specific when compiling information. Exactly what type of cancer did your grandmother die from? My breast cancer was diagnosed when I was 36, which makes it much more significant for my children than if I were post-menopausal.
Ask those gathered if they remember what medical conditions the relatives had and the ages of death. If someone who was otherwise healthy dies suddenly from something other than an accident or trauma, this could be a red flag.
Common diseases and conditions linked to heredity include some cancers, heart disease, diabetes, high blood pressure, stroke, arthritis, thyroid disorders, inflammatory bowel disease, Alzheimer's, Parkinson's and polycystic kidney disease.
Eye diseases, including glaucoma and cataracts, and hearing loss may also have genetic components. Also consider psychiatric illnesses such as depression and schizophrenia.
In the absence of living relatives, you can obtain information from death certificates generally on file in government offices in the municipality where they died. Other potential sources include letters, diaries, military records, obituaries and funeral-home papers.
If you're adopted, the National Adoption Clearinghouse (www.childwelfare.gov) may be able to provide information on locating birth parents. I know this is a particularly frustrating subject for adoptees, and it is often difficult to find this information. Ascertain if records at least provide your ethnic and racial heritage, as some ethnicities are more likely to be affected by certain conditions. Be sure to inform doctors who treat you that you are adopted.
Here is Mom's RX for Thanksgiving:
Review and update information periodically to optimize its use in disease prevention.
If a medical condition seems to run in the family, consult your doctor and a professional specializing in genetics to interpret the data.
Organize all your data and create a precious gift to pass on to generations to come.
This column should not be substituted for medical advice. Contact Lshrager@otherwiseheathy.com.