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In addition to striking up a conversation, you may uncover some family medical history in obituaries, death certificates and personal correspondence like letters. Keep an eye out for these four occurrences during your research: Early diagnoses. If your family has a history of developing diseases earlier than the rest of the population, make note of it. The early development of a disease can indicate a genetic component. Multiple diagnoses. If the same condition, for example breast cancer or autism, has been identified in several family members, that is important information. It may suggest that you, your child or your grandchildren are at higher risk for developing it than the average person. Rare diagnoses. If one of your relatives has a rare illness, include this information in your findings. For instance, breast cancer is about 100 times less common among men than it is among women. Due to its rarity, it would be important to note any discoveries that show a male in your family had breast cancer. Combined diagnoses. If you have a family member who has been diagnosed with multiple medical conditions— such as uterine and colon cancer or breast and ovarian cancer, for example—write this down as part of your family medical history. Once you collect your family medical history, share it with your doctor at your next office visit. This information can help doctors determine what diseases you may be most at risk for developing and offer advice on what steps to take next. "Don't be shy about gathering your family's medical histor y," says K a ren David, M. D., chief, d ivision of genetics at NewYork-Presbyterian Brooklyn Methodist Hospital. "The information that's hiding in your genes may help you with your health and help generations to come with theirs." breast, ovarian and colon cancers. Pre- and post-genetic testing counseling can help you decide whether such tests are appropriate for you and what, if any, course of action you may wish to pursue following the test results. "Genetic counseling serves an important purpose," says Scott Robinson, M.Sc., genetic counselor at NewYork- Presbyterian Brooklyn Methodist Hospital. "It combines what you know about your family history with your genetics to help you make more informed health decisions." Genetic consultation, counseling and testing services are offered at NYP Brooklyn Methodist. For additional information, call 718.780.5256 or visit nyp.org/brooklyn and search for "genetic." F IN D A D O C T O R 718 . 49 9.C A R E ( 2 27 3 ) 9