Dr. Jim Surrell, Journal columnist

It is very important for all of us to know our personal family medical history, especially the medical history of our personal first degree relatives. A first degree relative is defined as a parent, a sister or brother, or a child. Because of the increased risk of developing various cancers with a first degree relative with any cancer, it is very important that you know your personal family medical history. The following three all too common cancers are very much influenced by having a close relative with any of the three cancers noted below.

Breast Cancer – There are about 300,500 new cases of breast cancer every year in the USA. Breast cancer is approximately doubled among women whose mother had breast cancer diagnosed before the age of 40 years or who have a sister with breast cancer. Breast cancer risk also remains elevated even for those whose mothers were diagnosed with breast cancer at the age of 70 years or older. With more than one first degree relative so affected, the risk goes up even more. Follow your health care provider’s recommendations for screening, including mammograms, self breast exam, and physician breast exams. Smoking increases the risk of breast cancer by at least 16%.

Prostate Cancer – Studies show that there are about 288,300 new cases of prostate cancer in men in the USA every year. Men with a father or brother with prostate cancer are twice as likely to develop prostate cancer when compared to men with no relatives affected. In addition, there is a much greater risk with an increasing number of family members with prostate cancer. Men with two first degree relatives affected have a 5-fold increased risk and those with three first degree relatives have an 11-fold increased risk of developing prostate cancer. Therefore, men with a family history of prostate cancer should be aware of their significantly increased prostate cancer risk. All men should discuss prostate cancer screening guidelines with their health care provider. Smoking increases the risk of prostate cancer by at least 22%.

Colorectal Cancer – There are about 153,000 new cases of colorectal cancer in the USA every year. For those with one first degree relative diagnosed with colorectal cancer, there is approximately a two times greater risk of colon cancer than seen in the general population. If a person has a history of two or more first degree relatives with colorectal cancer, or any first degree relatives diagnosed under age 60, the overall colorectal cancer risk is three to six times higher than that of the general population! With a first degree relative with colorectal cancer, screening (colonoscopy) is recommended at age 40, or 10 years before the age the colorectal cancer was diagnosed. Further, a family history of polyps is also known to increase the risk of colon cancer, and colonoscopy screening should start at age 40. Smoking increases the risk of colorectal cancer by at least 12%.

Know this… Smoking is the single worst thing anyone can do to ruin their long-term health. As noted above, tobacco abuse (smoking and chewing) definitely causes an increase in all the above cancers and it is now proven that 40% of all bladder cancer is caused from smoking. If you smoke…STOP! Also, be certain to avoid second-hand smoke, which also significantly increases overall cancer risk.

Bottom line – A family history of various cancers definitely increases the risk of personally developing those cancers! Know your family medical history for first degree relatives, and share this information with your health care provider and with other family members. This is very important and will influence the recommendations made to you regarding cancer screening guidelines. Follow those screening recommendations made to you and this may potentially save your life!

EDITOR’S NOTE: Dr. Jim Surrell is the author of the best-selling SOS (Stop Only Sugar) Diet book and his new Joke Book, entitled “Laughter Is Good Medicine”. Dr. Jim’s website is sosdietbook.com.