Get to Know Your Family History This Holiday Season M. D.
Anderson News Release 12/04/07 This holiday season, The
University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center recommends that
you take time to speak with relatives about your family's
history of cancer. A small percentage of cancers – five to 10% –
are inherited. Common cancers associated with family history
include breast, colorectal, ovarian and endometrial cancers.
"Family gatherings are the perfect time to ask each other
detailed questions about health history," says Karen Lu, M.D.,
co-medical director of the Clinical Cancer Genetics program at
M. D. Anderson. "It is important to gather information about the
health history of your parents, siblings, grandparents, aunts
and uncles, and even your cousins." Below are some helpful tips
for gathering this information: - Speak with older relatives.
They are usually good sources for this information. - Gather
hospital records when there is some uncertainty. - Hospitals can
release records directly to the patie