To understand your gene history, it's important to gather information about your family's medical history using tools like the myGeneHistory questionnaire.
Understanding "your gene history" requires further clarification. It can refer to two main things:
-
Your personal genetic makeup as revealed by a genetic test: This is a highly specific analysis of your DNA, identifying particular genes and variations. To determine your gene history in this sense, you would need to undergo genetic testing conducted by a healthcare provider or qualified genetic counselor.
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Your family's medical history: This refers to the diseases and conditions that have occurred in your family across generations. This information can provide clues about your potential genetic predispositions. The myGeneHistory questionnaire serves this purpose.
Using myGeneHistory to understand your family medical history
myGeneHistory is an online family history questionnaire that helps you collect accurate information. According to the reference provided, myGeneHistory uses guidelines from organizations like:
- NCCN (National Comprehensive Cancer Network)
- USPSTF (United States Preventive Services Task Force)
- ASBrS (American Society of Breast Surgeons)
This ensures the information collected aligns with established medical recommendations.
Steps to determine your family medical history
- Access the myGeneHistory questionnaire: Look for the online questionnaire or a similar tool provided by your healthcare provider.
- Gather family information: Collect information about the health of your parents, siblings, grandparents, aunts, uncles, and cousins. Focus on significant medical conditions and ages of onset.
- Complete the questionnaire: Answer all questions as accurately and thoroughly as possible.
- Share the results with your doctor: Your healthcare provider can use this information to assess your risk for certain diseases and recommend appropriate screening or preventive measures.
Example
Let's say myGeneHistory reveals a strong family history of breast cancer. Your doctor may recommend earlier and more frequent mammograms or genetic testing to assess your individual risk.
Why family medical history matters
Your family's medical history can influence your risk for:
- Heart disease
- Cancer
- Diabetes
- Mental health conditions
- Other inherited diseases
Note
Ultimately, to discover your precise genetic makeup, you would need to undergo formal genetic testing. Family history as gathered by the questionnaire highlights potential risk factors.
