Knowing your family medical history could save your life

How much do you know about your family medical history? The answer could help save your life.

November 25 is National Family History Day. It’s a reminder as you spend time with your family to know any health risks in your lineage.

Aspirus offers genetic counseling services that can help you determine your own personal inherited health risks, or those of other family members, and learn how personalized medicine can impact your health.

“This isn’t like one of those DNA kits you send in to learn your family ancestry,” says Aspirus Genetic Counselor Victoria Ballard. “We’re looking at a specific panel of genes to see if there are any potential issues.”

Genetic counseling services are commonly used to determine a person’s risk for developing or passing on inherited cancer, heart, pediatric, and prenatal-related conditions.

A genetic counselor such as Victoria will help you:

• Find your chance of getting certain diseases

• Decide if a genetic test is right for you

• Learn how knowing your genetic makeup could help you with disease prevention or management so you can make more informed health care decisions.

“The more information we can get, the better,” says Victoria. “This is one of the many great tools Aspirus has to improve the lives of our patients.”

Call Aspirus with questions. A referral from your provider is needed for a visit with a genetic counselor. To learn more or for an appointment call 715-8470450 or 844-212-4556, or email genetics@aspirus.org.