Family matters: the importance of knowing your family’s health history

I’m adopted, which could have made this one tricky for me had I not reconnected with my birth family. I was able to ask them about any history of glaucoma (my nephew has a severe form), when I was diagnosed with hypertension in my right eye. According to Men’s Health, one of the easiest things to do to keep up on what might be coming our way is to attend a family reunion. From Men’s Health: There’s actually a reason to keep in touch with Uncle Jim Bob and Cousin Nancy. Your family cancer history can change quite a bit between the ages of 30 and 50—which could mean you need earlier cancer screenings—according to a study in this week’s Journal of the American Medical Association. The American Cancer Society’s screening schedule is the guideline most doctors use for average folks to schedule cancer tests. For example, it suggests that you should have your first colorectal cancer screening starting at age 50. However, having a close relative diagnosed with cancer can increase your risk and move up your screening schedule by a decade or even two. Continue reading]]>