Many of us can easily recite the story of our parents, grandparents and their extended families – where they lived, what they did for a living, how they met their spouses and memorable moments from family get-togethers. What too many of us don’t know about our families is the critical information that could save or prolong our lives- our family medical history.
Knowing your family health history can help you determine your family’s health risk and make preventive choices.
According to a health survey, only 1 in 3 adults say they have attempted to collect and record their family medical history. It’s important to your overall health, including cancer prevention, to know about your family’s health history. Knowing where to begin, understanding the importance of it and feeling comfortable with starting that conversation with your family are some of the challenges and questions we may face. To help guide us through this process the Prevent Cancer Foundation, in partnership with the National Broadcaster’s Association (NAB) and the Congressional Families Cancer Prevention Program, will hold the organization’s first webcast: “Family Medical History: Why and What You Should Know.”
The panel will be moderated by Dave Dubin, a three time cancer survivor and advocate for cancer screening and genetic testing. Panel members will consist of a diverse group of leading experts and advocates:
Anna Maria Izquierdo, Primary Care Physician and Executive Director of Care for Your Health
Beth N. Peshkin, MS, GCG, Associate Professor of Oncology and Senior Genetic Counselor at Georgetown Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center
Allyn Rose, Miss D.C., family medical history and cancer prevention advocate
The panel will cover a range of topics including:
- The importance of knowing one’s medical history
- How your family medical history can help reduce your risk of cancer and other chronic diseases
- Strategies for learning about your medical history from family members
- Genetic testing and genetic counseling
Before and during the panel discussion, audience members are encouraged to tweet (@preventcancer) questions for the panelists to answer.
The free webcast will be streamed live online from the NAB’s offices and we hope you will be able to join us on Wednesday, May 1, 2013 at 2 pm Eastern. We hope you will “tune in” for this lively, informative and life-saving discussion!
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