Family History|Genomics|CDC

Family History|Genomics|CDC

Knowing and acting on your family health history is an important way to protect your health. Collect your family health history and share it with your doctor at your next visit.

Your doctor can use it to develop a more complete picture of your health and your risk factors for disease. Together you can work on ways to reduce that risk.

Knowing is Not Enough—Act on Your Family Health History

Has your mother or sister had breast cancer? Does your mother, father, sister, or brother have diabetes? Did your mother, father, brother, or sister have colorectal (colon) cancer before age 50? If you answered “yes,” you are more likely to get the same disease as your parent or sibling and should consider earlier screening. Talk to your doctor about when to start screening and what other steps to take to prevent the disease or find it early. Finding disease early can often mean better health in the long run.

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• THE BASICS

• PLANNING FOR PREGNANCY

• DURING PREGNANCY

• FOR CHILDREN

• FOR ADULTS

• FAMILY HEALTH HISTORY & CHRONIC DISEASES

• INFORMATION FOR HEALTH PROFESSIONALS

• INFORMATION FOR RESEARCHERS

• TOOLS AND RESOURCES