Why is it important to know your family's health history?

It is important you know your family's health history because some health conditions can be passed down by parents to their children.

If your family has a history of a particular condition, you may be at higher risk of developing it too. Knowing your family's medical history will help you identify these risks and find out how you can reduce your risk of developing the condition. You might also choose to have regular check-ups to pick it up early.

When you see a doctor for the first time, they may ask you about the health of your immediate relatives. Keep your doctor updated as you get older; this will help them give you the best advice about maintaining your health and wellbeing.

If you are planning to start a family, you may wish to check whether anyone in you or your partner's family is affected by a genetic disorder.

Some diseases that run in families are hereditary (genetic disorders). These include Huntington's disease, cystic fibrosis and others. In other family-related health conditions, certain genes may increase the risk of developing a disease. However, lifestyle habits shared within your family can also add to your risk. Heart disease, diabetes and some cancers fall into this category.

It's a good idea for everyone to record their own family health history. Being proactive in identifying your risk of a condition can help you take action to maximise your health.

How can you learn about your family's health history?

You can investigate your family's medical history by talking to relatives, beginning with those closest to you, such as your parents, children and siblings.

Some people may not want to talk about their health, but any information they choose to share is useful, even if it is incomplete. Record your own health details too.

Next, talk to or ask about more distant relatives:

• grandparents or grandchildren
• aunts and uncles
• nieces and nephews
• half-siblings
• cousins

You may be able to research the cause of death of older relatives by obtaining their death certificates. You can apply for a death certificate from a state-based birth, deaths and marriages registry.

What should be included in a family health history?

For each person in your family health tree, record the following information:

• name
• sex
• year of birth and age (or year of death)
• ethnicity (because some conditions are more prevalent in certain ethnic groups)
• major medical conditions and when each was diagnosed (especially if before 60 years of age)
• lifestyle issues that could be related (such as smoking or type of employment)

Record this information in a family health tree or other document. Health WA has produced an example on which you might like to base your document.

Keep your record in a safe place and update it regularly. You might like to share the family medical information with other close relatives, such as children or siblings.

What diseases run in the family?

Chronic diseases that can run in families include:

• asthma
• diabetes (both type 1 and type 2)
• heart disease
• high cholesterol or high blood pressure
• stroke
• osteoporosis
• some types of mental illness

Other conditions that can run in the family include:

• genetic disorders (such as haemophilia and cystic fibrosis)
• some cancers (such as breast, ovarian, bowel and prostate cancers)
• stillbirth or multiple miscarriages

What can you do if you have a family history of a disease?

If you are concerned you have a strong family history of a particular disease, speak to your doctor. It may be a disease that has occurred in many close relatives or has shown up in relatives at a young age.

Remember that having a family history of a condition doesn't mean you'll develop it. You may develop a condition without any known family history.

Your doctor can advise you on what you can do to maximise your health. For example, it might be appropriate to:

• investigate your risks in more detail — for example, your doctor may refer you to a genetics health professional to discuss genetic testing
• take preventive action to reduce your risk — for example, make lifestyle changes to reduce the likelihood of type 2 diabetes or heart disease
• have more frequent check-ups or preventative treatment

What can you do if you were adopted or conceived via anonymous egg and/or sperm donor?

If you were adopted or conceived via egg and/or sperm donor, you may struggle to obtain information about your biological family health history. This may be distressing.

In Australia, the states and territories approach donor conception differently. Each state and territory records different information about egg and/or sperm donors. As a result, people conceived via donor egg and/or sperm have variable access to information about their donor/s.

You can also choose to fill in any gaps about your biological family's health history by undergoing some genetic testing.

Resources and support

• Call healthdirect on 1800 022 222 at any time to speak to a registered nurse (known as NURSE-ON-CALL in Victoria) for more information and advice.
• The Cancer Council has more information about cancers that can run in families.
• You can learn more about genetic counselling at Health Centre for Genetics Education.