Family health history: Knowing your history can save your life!

Hello everyone,

How are you today?

I thought we could share together about family health history and your experiences with it!

So, for those of you who may not be familiar with the concept of "family health history", it is your general health record but also that of your family members (parents, siblings, grandparents, etc.)! It can help you and your doctor gain awareness of any potential risks to your health from hereditary conditions! This doesn't necessary mean that if someone in your family has a particular condition you will too, but since many conditions are influenced by genetics it is important that we be aware!

What do you think? Do you know your family health history? Has it helped you in any way along your health journey?
@Labadie‍ @Storm5019‍ @Jeannie1‍ @SamElizabeth‍ @Lindatia‍ @Traceyceneviva‍ @ShelleeH‍ @asccurtis‍ @Eloy01‍ @NicoleBowler‍ @JAZZYJESS‍ @Momof5kids‍ @NYNicky‍ @Mashpaint‍ @live71‍ @Brenda2‍ @Weezyslp‍ @Volfan47‍ 

Feel free to share your thoughts here!

Take care,
Courtney

Hello everyone, 

We're looking to write an article about this subject and we need your help!

We've set up a quick survey about family health history so that we can include your voice. The survey is now closed, but you can check out the results in our new article: Family Health History: Why is it important?

Thank you for your participation!

Take care,
Courtney

@Courtney_J   Family history is very important to know. For instance, I'm scheduled to have a hip replacement in December and I asked the orthopedic surgeon who will be doing the procedure if they routinely biopsy the bone that's removed. He said that they didn't normally do any in-depth biopsy and asked why I asked as bone cancer is considered to be a very rare cancer. I told him that bone cancer was definitely NOT rare in my family as my paternal grandfather, paternal uncle, and maternal uncle all had it. He actually said "oh, my" and assured me that biopsies will most definitely be done. 

1/12/2021  Had surgery 12/17; biopsy done, completely benign.

Family health history is important if you KNOW YOUR FAMILY( I'M ADOPTED). I'm 56 years old, and just living life,and having NO IDEA what I'm more prone to( biologically. 

@Melainey   The law has changed and it is now possible to get information regarding your birth parents, who one or both were, if they had any health problems, etc. Google "finding birth parents" and you'll be provided with many resources, both paid and free. It's not foolproof but at least it's a start. 

It is very important.  Knowledge of my family history has helped me prepare or take preventative action against certain illnesses and conditions.  It also helps me to be aware of what we may possibly need to be concerned about when it comes to my daughter.  But for her only my side is really known.  Her father's side is a huge mystery in many ways so that is scary