Family Medical History Has New Meaning

Several days ago, one of my loyal patients requested to be seen, urgently, because she was upset that family members would not reveal the cause of death of a middle age family member. 

A lifelong friend who is battling four different types of cancer told me that all these cancers run in his family, as revealed by genetic testing.  Family members were aware that young people in the family were passing, but the information was not being shared with family.

These stories are common among African Americans and the mindset needs to change.

It is necessary to discuss, at family gatherings, the cause of death for immediate and non-immediate family members.

Your doctor needs this information to keep you under close surveillance. 

This is a new day in health care.  What you don’t know will hurt you.