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sahpendleton.org /// CATHOLIC HEALTH INITIATIVES 4 Digging Into Your Family Health History Knowing the past can help you plan for the future. Having a conversation with your primary care doctor about your risk for diseases such as cancer or heart disease is an important step toward managing that risk. Before you have that discussion, however, you need to gather as much information as possible from family members. "Many people tend not to see a provider unless they're sick, but it's important to have someone routinely monitoring your health," says Cheryl Pearce, MSN, RN, NE-BC, CPHQ, Director of Physicians Clinics at CHI St. Anthony Hospital. "Several disease processes are hereditary, so if your doctor knows what to look for, he/she can detect them earlier." This includes anything from your chances of developing breast and colorectal cancers to your risk of heart attack and diabetes, among manyothers. "A lot of times, people don't know anything past one generation back," says Katie Morioka, WHNP, women's health nurse practitioner at the Women's Clinic at CHI St. Anthony Hospital. "Get as much information as you can about the generations before your parents. You might be surprised." Knowing family health history increases your knowledge about your own health and becomes a tool your entire family can use to be healthier and work to prevent certain conditions. "Be open and honest, and communicate with your family," Katie says. "There may be important health information you'll never know about if you don't." Talk to your doctor about what you learn regarding your family health history. Don't have a primary care provider? Visit sahpendleton.org. CHI St. Anthony Hospital To Go Launched on Oct. 10, the new and improved CHI St. Anthony Hospital website is designed to make things easier for you. Whether you choose to visit us on your computer or mobile device, you'll find what you need with fewer clicks and in less time. Our Patient Portal and online bill pay services are also now easier, more secure, and available on your mobile device. Whatever your healthcare need, we're here to help, whether at home or out and about in Pendleton and the surrounding communities.