About Women's Health: The Heredity Factor

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Women's Health From Denise Maher, your About Women's Health Editor When Angelina Jolie announced that she'd had a double mastectomy because she carries the BRCA1 gene mutation, many women started talking about factors related to breast and ovarian cancers. While the risk for cancer--but not cancer itself--can be inherited, certain cancers are still referred to as "inherited cancers." But what is actually inherited, according to the American Cancer Society, is the abnormal gene that can lead to cancer. "Inherited cancers" aren't extremely common, but predispositions for other diseases are much more so. Even if you don't have close relatives who have experienced breast cancer, Jolie's story is a good reminder to collect and consider your family's health history. Why Family Health History Is So Important Knowing the exact medical conditions that your relatives have had can help you identify risk factors for disease. Recording Your Family Medical History Genetic Predisposition: What It Means Who Should Consider Genetic Testing? Search Related Topics:  family medical history  genetics  medical records Is Lung Cancer Inherited? Many people don't realize that there can be a genetic link to lung cancer. In fact, some lung cancer survivors are young non-smokers. Is Lung Cancer Inherited? Screening for Lung Cancer Depression Risk Factors Search Related Topics:  lung cancer causes  genetics and lung cancer  Is it Genetic? Sometimes the answer isn't clear cut. Is Fibromyalgia Hereditary? Arthritis In the Family Causes of Autoimmune Disease Search Related Topics:  fibromyalgia causes  fibromyalgia research  understanding fibromyalgia Your Genes and Your Health Human genome researchers hope that personalized medicine will improve healthcare--and lives--through earlier detection and diagnosis, and better prevention and treatment of disease. What is Personalized Medicine? Inherited Cholesterol Disorders How Do Researchers Know Which Genes are Linked to Disease? Search Related Topics:  genetics  personalized medicine  human genome project Related Searches Breast Cancer Stats Lung Cancer Symptoms Ovarian Cancer Signs Treatment for Cancer Cancer Doctors Featured Articles No BRCA Gene Patent, Court Rules What is Prophylactic Mastectomy? The Heredity Factor in Bipolar Disease No BRCA Gene Patent, Court Rules THe Epic Morning-After Pill Battle Fixes for Persistant Acne Problems   More from About.com Run Your First 5K Even couch potatoes can be ready for a 5K with just a couple months of training. Read more...> Help! I'm Too Busy Time and stress management tips to help you feel as though you have more time. Read more...>   Sign up for more free newsletters on your favorite topics You are receiving this newsletter because you subscribed to the About.com Women's Health newsletter. If you wish to change your email address or unsubscribe, please click here. About.com respects your privacy: Our Privacy Policy Contact Information: 1500 Broadway, 6th Floor New York, NY, 10036 © 2013 About.com     Follow us on: Advertisement