A.
From Dr. Birch:
Family history--specifically, information about the health of members of your immediate family--can be a powerful screening tool. Some diseases run in families, and having one or more members with a particular disease suggests you may have a higher chance of developing that disease than someone with no family history.
However, this does not mean you will definitely develop the disease, only that you are at higher risk. Knowing your family history puts you in charge of your health, allows you to make proactive and informed medical choices and helps you plan for a long, healthy life.
You can obtain a more complete picture of your health by doing the following:
+ Record your personal health information,
+ make a plan to talk to family members,
+ print out your family history and
+ bring it to your next doctor appointment.
After talking with your doctor, you'll determine which steps to take to reduce your risks. This may include lifestyle changes, screenings and preventive medicine, if needed, based on your individual risk factors
.
We invite you to join us on October 29 for our annual Girls' Night Out event to learn more about how to evaluate your own family medical history.
