Why knowing your family health history is crucial for cancer awareness

Dr Shantling Nigudgi

Mar 18, 2025

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Cancer, a disease characterised by the uncontrolled growth of abnormal cells, is a leading cause of death worldwide

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While cancer can affect anyone, some individuals are more susceptible to developing certain types of cancer due to their family health history.

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Knowing your family health history is crucial for cancer awareness, as it can help identify potential risks, facilitate early detection, and inform prevention strategies.

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A family health history is a record of the medical conditions and diseases that have affected your relatives, particularly parents, grandparents, siblings, and children.

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This history can provide valuable information about your inherited risk of developing certain cancers. 

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For instance, if multiple relatives have been diagnosed with breast, ovarian, or colorectal cancer, it may indicate a genetic predisposition to these diseases.