Your family health history is a record of diseases and conditions that run in your family. Your family members may share genes, habits, and environments that can affect your risk of getting cancer.

Gather information about yourself and your

Information should include

Take time to ask about your family history of cancer at family gatherings. Respectfully ask your relatives to help fill in the gaps and confirm what you remember.

Also, look through any family records or obituaries.

You can enter your family health history into My Family Health Portrait, update it over time, and print it out to share with your doctor and relatives.

If you have a family history of breast, ovarian, uterine, or colorectal cancer, you may have a higher risk for these cancers.

Tell your doctor if

Telling your doctor about your family health history is a first step to find out if you may have a higher cancer risk.

It will help you and your doctor decide what tests you need, when to start, and how often to be tested. Knowing your family health history also helps you and your doctor decide if genetic counseling or testing may be right for you.

If your family health history suggests that you may carry a genetic mutation, your doctor can refer you to genetic counseling.

A genetic counselor is a specialist who asks you about your family’s health history and helps you decide if genetic testing is right for you.

A genetic test uses your saliva or blood to look at your DNA. This can show if you have mutations (changes) that may raise your cancer risk.

Having a genetic mutation does not mean you will get cancer. You can do things to lower or manage your cancer risk. Talk to your doctor about

Several hereditary conditions can raise your chances of getting cancer. Two of the most common are hereditary breast and ovarian cancer (HBOC) syndrome and Lynch syndrome.