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Why keep a personal health history?

Heredity. About 10% of all diseases are inherited. Many are caused by defective genes. Some cancers, including breast, ovarian, smoking-induced lung, colorectal, prostate and some childhood cancers, may have genetic links. For example, a woman who has no family history of ovarian cancer has a 1 in 70 (1.4%) lifetime risk of developing the disease. With a mother or sister with the disease, the risk rises to 5%, and to 7% for those with two relatives with the disease. Research has uncovered a breast and ovarian cancer gene -- BRCA1.

Environment. Fertility drugs (clomiphene [Clomid]) were found to double the usual risk of ovarian cancer if taken for more than 12 menstrual cycles. (Recommended dose is three cycles.) Talc-containing powders (which appear on the surface of most condoms), hormone replacement therapy, saturated fats, cigarettes, alcohol, x-rays, dioxin, certain pesticides, high-energy wires, asbestos, exposure to the sun and other environmental factors are suspected of contributing to cancer.

Until cancer prevention becomes the focus of medical care (as is early detection today), it may be a valuable exercise to keep records of your personal health history for future reference. Here's a brief chart to help you with the history:

Heredity/Environment Checkup Name Date of birth Sex City (or town) of birth (comments) City(ies) or towns where you spent your youth (comments) Possible environmental factors in your city (nuclear reactors, uranium, atomic testing, high-energy wires, asbestos, pesticides). Diet: Do you smoke? Do you drink alcoholic beverages? Emotional factors: death of a loved one, divorce, job loss, other Number of children: Onset of menses: Weight and Height: Economic status: Medications: Family tree Download a family tree template from the U.S. Surgeon General. Paternal grandfather     Paternal grandmother Birthdate     Birthdate Disease & age of onset     Disease & age of onset Cause of death     Cause of death Date of death     Date of death