Thuy Vu, MS, CGC, made a wonderful presentation and shared the following information:
The U.S. Surgeon General has declared previous Thanksgivings a National Family History Day. Over the holiday, or at other times when families gather, the Surgeon General encourages Americans to talk about, and to write down, the health problems that seem to run in their family. Learning about their family's health history may help ensure a longer, healthier future together.
Below are several resources on the importance a family history and how to gather the information.
· My Family History Portrait https://familyhistory.hhs.gov/
· The American Medical Association - The Importance of a Family History http://www.ama-assn.org/ama/pub/category/2380.html
· Genetic Alliance Family Health History Resources http://geneticalliance.org/ws_display.asp?filter=fhh.resources
· MDACC Patient Education document "Gathering a Cancer-Focused Family History" (pdf attached)
If you and your family members have concerns about your family history of cancer and would like to meet with a genetic counselor for a family cancer risk assessment, please review our webpage and ask your doctor to refer you to the Clinical Cancer Genetics Program.
http://www.mdanderson.org/departments/ccg/
Our GU Lunch N' Learn will be suspended for December due to hectic holiday schedules. Looking forward to seeing everyone in the new year!
-Laura Walther-Broussard, Social Work Counselor
