Does Cancer Run in Your Family? What You Should Know
You probably know whether cancer has affected someone in your family. But do you know what kind of cancer they had — or how old they were when they were diagnosed? Those details may be more important than you realize.
Your family health history can provide valuable clues about your own risk for certain cancers. That doesn't mean having cancer in your family means you will develop it, too. In fact, only a small proportion of cancers are caused by genetic changes inherited from a parent.
But knowing your family history—and sharing it with your healthcare provider—can help you have a more informed conversation about your individual risk and preventive care.
Why Does Family History Matter?
We inherit much more from our families than eye color and curly hair.
Families can also share genetic factors that affect the risk of developing certain diseases. At the same time, family members may share environments, habits and other factors that can influence health.
That's why your healthcare provider looks at the pattern of illness in your family rather than simply asking, “Has anyone in your family had cancer?” One relative developing a common cancer later in life may tell a different story than several close relatives developing the same or related cancers — particularly at younger ages.
The details matter.
What Should I Know About Cancer in My Family?
You don't need to arrive at your next appointment carrying a color-coded family tree. (Although if that's your thing, we certainly won't discourage you.) Start with what you can find out.
For relatives who have had cancer, it can be helpful to know:
- Who had cancer? Parents, siblings and children are especially important, but information about grandparents, aunts, uncles and other relatives can also be useful.
- What type of cancer was it? “Grandma had cancer” isn't as informative as knowing she had breast, ovarian, colon, pancreatic or another specific cancer.
- How old were they when they were diagnosed? Cancer occurring at an unusually young age can sometimes be an important clue.
- Did the same person have more than one type of cancer?
- Have several relatives on the same side of the family had the same or related cancers?
- Has anyone in the family had genetic counseling or genetic testing? If so, do you know the results?
Don't worry if you can't answer every question. Even partial information can be useful.
Mom’s Side AND Dad’s Side Count
When people think about inherited cancer risk—particularly breast and ovarian cancer—they sometimes focus on their mother's side of the family. But your father's family history matters, too.
You inherit genetic information from both parents, so tell your healthcare provider about relevant cancers on both sides of your family.
That means Dad's mother who had breast cancer, his sister who had ovarian cancer or his father who had prostate cancer may all be pieces of your family health history worth mentioning.
Are There Certain Patterns I Should Pay Attention To?
Having one or more relatives with cancer doesn't necessarily mean there is an inherited cancer syndrome. Cancer is common, and many families will have at least one person who has been diagnosed with it.
However, certain patterns may prompt your healthcare provider to take a closer look at your family history.
These can include several relatives with the same or related types of cancer, cancer occurring at younger-than-expected ages, a person developing more than one primary cancer, or particular cancers appearing repeatedly across generations.
The important thing isn't to try to interpret those patterns yourself. Your job is to share what you know. Your healthcare provider can help determine what it may mean for you.
Could My Family History Change My Screening Recommendations?
Potentially.
Your age is only one factor healthcare providers consider when discussing preventive screenings. Your personal medical history, family history and other risk factors may also influence recommendations about which screenings are appropriate and when they should begin.
For example, someone with a strong family history of a particular cancer may need a different conversation about screening than someone at average risk.
That's one reason it's worth discussing family history before you're due for a screening—not simply when you're filling out paperwork in the waiting room.
And family history can change. A new diagnosis in a parent, sibling or other relative may provide information your healthcare provider didn't have during your last visit.
Think of your family health history as something worth updating, not a form you complete once and forget.
What About Genetic Testing?
You've probably heard about genetic testing for inherited cancer risk. But genetic testing isn't necessarily the first — or right — step for everyone.
If your personal or family history suggests the possibility of an inherited cancer syndrome, your healthcare provider may recommend discussing your history with a genetic counselor or another qualified healthcare professional.
Genetic counseling can help determine whether testing may be appropriate, which type of testing could be useful and what the possible results could mean for you and your family.
In other words, you don't necessarily need to start by ordering a genetic test. Start with a conversation.
What If I Don't Know My Family Medical History?
Not everyone has access to a complete family health history.
You may be adopted. You may have limited contact with biological relatives. Family members may have died before you could ask questions. Or perhaps yours is one of those families where health issues simply weren't discussed.
That's okay.
Tell your healthcare provider what you do know—and let them know what you don't. Your provider can consider the information available along with your personal health history and other risk factors when discussing preventive care.
You don't need a perfect family history to start a useful conversation about your health.
Five Questions to Ask Your Healthcare Provider
Once you've gathered what you can, bring that information to your next visit. You might ask:
- Does my family history change my risk for any cancers?
- Should my family history affect when or how often I'm screened?
- Are there particular changes in my health I should make sure to report?
- Does my family history suggest that genetic counseling might be appropriate?
- What family health information would be helpful for me to learn before my next visit?
And remember: you don't need to wait for your provider to bring up the subject. If something about your family's cancer history concerns you, ask about it.
Your Family History Is Information—Not a Prediction
Learning that certain cancers run in your family can understandably be unsettling. But family history is not a crystal ball.
Having a family history of cancer does not mean that you will develop cancer. Likewise, having no known family history doesn't mean you have no cancer risk.
What family history can provide is information—information that can help you and your healthcare provider have better conversations about your health, your individual risk factors and appropriate preventive care.
So, the next time you're talking with parents, siblings, grandparents or other relatives, consider asking a few questions about your family's health history.
You may learn something worth sharing at your next checkup.
At Access HealthCare Multispecialty Group, we're here to help patients take an active role in their health. Talk with your healthcare provider about your family health history, individual risk factors and the preventive screenings that may be appropriate for you.
Ready to start the conversation? Learn more about Access HealthCare Multispecialty Group at https://access-healthcare.net.
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