Many of us carry questions about our family health history. Perhaps a parent developed heart disease young, several relatives have had breast or bowel cancer, or you're planning a family and wondering what you might pass on. Genetic conditions are more common than most people realise, and your general practice is often the best place to start finding answers.
What Are Genetic Conditions?
Genetic conditions are health problems caused wholly or partly by changes in our genes. Some, like cystic fibrosis, haemochromatosis and familial hypercholesterolaemia (inherited high cholesterol), follow clear inheritance patterns. Others, such as many cancers, diabetes and heart disease, involve a mix of genes, lifestyle and environment. A strong family history can raise your risk even when no single gene is responsible.
Why Your Family History Matters
Your family history is one of the most powerful, and most underused, tools in medicine. Knowing which conditions affected your parents, siblings and grandparents, and at what age, helps your GP assess your personal risk and decide whether earlier screening or genetic testing is worthwhile. It's worth gathering this information before your appointment, even in rough form.
How Your GP Can Help
General practice plays a central role in genetic health care. Your GP can assess your family history and personal risk, arrange screening at an earlier age where risk is increased (for example, bowel cancer screening or cholesterol checks), and order or coordinate genetic tests where appropriate.
Couples who are pregnant or planning a pregnancy can ask about reproductive carrier screening, which checks whether they carry genes for conditions such as cystic fibrosis, spinal muscular atrophy and fragile X syndrome; Medicare now supports this screening for these three conditions.
Where a genetic condition is suspected or confirmed, your GP can refer you to a clinical genetics service or genetic counsellor. Genetic counsellors help you understand test results, what they mean for you and your relatives, and the choices available to you. Your GP then remains your ongoing point of care, coordinating specialists, monitoring your health and supporting other family members who may also be affected.
When To Talk To Us
Consider booking an appointment if several close relatives have had the same or related conditions, if cancer or heart disease has occurred in your family at a young age, if you have a known genetic condition in the family, or if you are planning a pregnancy and want to understand your options. No question is too small: a short conversation about your family history can make a real difference to your long-term health.
To discuss your family history or genetic health, phone Terrey Hills Family Surgery on 02 9450 1083 or book an appointment with one of our GPs.