Doctors of USC

Several women in my family have been diagnosed with different forms of gynecological cancer. Is there anything I can do to reduce my risk?

When it comes to assessing your risk for developing cancer, understanding your family’s medical history is key. “Talk to your parents, siblings, aunts, uncles and cousins,” says Laila Muderspach, M.D., associate professor of obstetrics and gynecology at the Keck School of Medicine of USC. “If there is a strong family history of cancer, you may consider genetic counseling.” Genetic counseling is the process by which patients work with a medical professional to complete a family medical questionnaire in order to determine the probability of developing or transmitting a disease, and the options open to them in order to prevent, avoid or ameliorate it. The counselor can investigate the problems present in the family, interpret information about the disease, analyze inheritance patterns and risks of recurrence and review available testing options. According to Muderspach, the first line of defense against cancer is simply taking care of your overall health. “Exercise, maintain a healthy diet, lose excess weight—these things not only help you feel better, but they also reduce cancer risk,” she says. And don’t forget your annual exams, including mammograms and pap smears. “I know that women don’t like having these exams, but as one of my patients told me, ‘It’s all worth it when you tell me at the end, it’s ok.’”