I have a family history of cancer. When should I get screened?

Mar 9, 2026
ኬትሊን ኩብለር

I remember the moment I found out my mom had cancer like it was yesterday—even though it happened years ago. Around our dinner table, mid-conversation about mashed potatoes and weekend plans, she casually dropped it: “Back when I had cancer…” That sentence stopped us in our tracks. None of us—not my sisters, not me—had any idea she had battled stage 3 የኮሎሬክታል ካንሰር and won.

What struck us most wasn’t just the shock of the revelation, but how late we learned about it. My mom was treated successfully. She’s alive and thriving in her 70s today. But we didn’t know about her diagnosis until years later, and that gap in awareness had real implications for us.

Once we finally learned the truth about Mom’s diagnosis, something shifted in me. My sisters and I—young, healthy and busy with work, family and life—suddenly realized that this history wasn’t something that happened “back then.” It was a living part of our current health story. Because of our family health history, I asked my doctor how that should change my screening schedule. I explained Mom’s colorectal cancer history, and within minutes, I had a script for a colonoscopy. I was 37.

Routine colorectal cancer screening typically begins at 45, but any personal or family history of cancer (or certain other diseases) may mean you need to begin cancer screenings at an earlier age or be tested more frequently. Because of my mom’s diagnosis, I went to my doctor, who, consulting guidelines, recommended I begin screening with a colonoscopy when I was 10 years younger than the age my mom was at her cancer diagnosis.

It’s important to remember that a colonoscopy isn’t the only screening method available for colorectal cancer. While it’s the screening my doctor recommended for me given my family history of the disease, there are many other options—some can even be done from the comfort of your home—that may be available to you if you’re at average risk.

My sisters and I continue to get screened for colorectal cancer every five years because our family history puts us at increased risk (those at average risk usually get colonoscopies every 10 years). My doctor made sure to note in my chart and the order for my colonoscopy that I was getting a colonoscopy earlier due to my family health history—which was critical because my insurance needed this information to cover the procedure for me at a younger age. I did have to pay out of pocket for my prep solution (which is required in order to completely empty your bowels before a colonoscopy), but I found a pharmacy rebate that reduced the cost.

When it comes to cancer, you can’t wait for signs or symptoms to appear or simply hope nothing will happen—being proactive is so important because Early Detection = Better Outcomes. I hear people all the time say things like:

“I’ll do it later.”

“I don’t have symptoms.”

“I’m too busy.”

But here’s the truth: Knowledge is power, and if there are steps you can take now that can help save your life one day, don’t you want to take action?

If you know your family health history—even if the information you have is limited—that information is powerful. Bring it to your doctor and ask about when you should start screening, as well as how often you should get screened. Only 5%-10% of cancers are hereditary, so most people who get cancer do not have a family history of the disease. (Which is one reason why routine screening is so important!) But a personal or family history of cancer may increase your risk and impact your actions.

Talking about cancer history can feel heavy or emotional. But these conversations are some of the most important you’ll ever have.

Here are simple steps that changed my life and could change yours, too:

Talk to your family about their health history. Ask your parents or siblings what they know. Document what you learn.
Take that information to your health care provider and ask when you should be screened. Your health care provider can help you decide which cancer screenings you need, when to begin screening and how often you should be screened based on your family history.
Make the appointment. If you learn that you need to get screened, schedule the screening. Whether you can make the appointment right then and there or you get a referral from your health care provider (like I did for my colonoscopy), schedule it as soon as possible so you don’t forget or put it off.
Tell someone you trust. Bringing someone along can make a world of difference. And if you’re getting a colonoscopy, like I did, you will need someone to drive you home from the appointment. A ride and emotional support, all in one!

Mom’s story gave my sisters and me the push we needed to take charge of our health. With routine colorectal cancer screening now a regular part of our lives, we’re protecting our health and our futures—and you can, too.