FamilyGenetic History Form
Your
YourInstructor’s
1:Family Genetic History:
Family Member | Description |
Paternal grandfather First and last initials: | IM |
Birthdate: | 1932 |
Death date: | 2000 |
Occupation: | Retired Engineer |
Education: | College |
Primary language: | English |
Health summary: | Diagnosed with colorectal cancer at age 47. Died through a car accident. |
Paternal grandmother First and last initials: | HM |
Birthdate: | 1938 |
Death date: | 2009 |
Occupation: | Nurse |
Education: | 6th Grade |
Primary language: | English |
Health summary: | Diagnosed with endometrial cancer at age 50 and later died from the disease |
Father First and last initials: | JM |
Birthdate: | 1963 |
Death date: | 2013 |
Occupation: | Accountant |
Education: | |
Primary language: | English |
Health summary: | Diagnosed with colorectal cancer at age 49 and died during an operation |
Father’s siblings | Father’s elder sister, aged 55 was diagnosed with ovarian cancer when she was 45 years old |
Maternal grandfather First and last initials: | HF |
Birthdate: | 1927 |
Death date: | 2004 |
Occupation: | Trader |
Education: | College |
Primary language: | English |
Health summary: | Was diagnosed with congestive heart failure 70 and died from a heart attack a few years later. |
Maternal grandmother First and last initials: | MF |
Birthdate: | 1935 |
Death date: | N/A |
Occupation: | House wife |
Education: | College |
Primary language: | English |
Health summary: | Complains of frequent headaches but refuses to see a healthcare provider. |
Mother First and last initials: | QM |
Birthdate: | 1965 |
Death date: | N/A |
Occupation: | Business lady |
Education: | College |
Primary language: | English |
Health summary: | No serious health condition so far |
Mother`s siblings | Brother, only sibling, died at birth due to delayed labor |
Adult Participant First and last initials: | LM |
Birthdate: | 1984 |
Death date: | N/A |
Occupation: | Librarian |
Education: | College |
Primary language: | English |
Health summary: | Currently suffering from abdominal pains, possibly from colon cancer. Scheduled for physical and clinical examinations in two weeks’ time. |
Adult participant’s siblings | Elder sister has been diagnosed with colorectal cancer |
Adult participant’s spouse/significant other First and last initials: | WM |
Birthdate: | 1988 |
Death date: | N/A |
Occupation: | Nurse |
Education: | College |
Primary language: | English |
Health summary: | In perfect health condition |
Adult participant’s children Child #1 first and last initials: | NM |
Birthdate: | 2012 |
Death date: | N/A |
Occupation: | N/A |
Education: | Preparatory school |
Primary language: | English |
Health summary: | In perfect health condition |
Child #2 first and last initials: | SM |
Birthdate: | 2015 |
Death date: | N/A |
Occupation: | N/A |
Education: | N/A |
Primary language: | English |
Health summary: | In perfect health condition |
2.Evaluation of family genetic history (25 points)
Anindividual’s family history has important information about his orher past and present clues to their future health. Just like most ofthe physical traits of a person are inherited, so are some geneticconditions and health issues. These conditions may include somecancers, diabetes and heart disease. Colorectal cancer is one of theconditions that can be inherited. Collecting information about thefamily history is one way of determining whether an individual isprone to a genetic disease or not. Another method of determining therisk of a person to a genetic disease is genetic testing (NationalSociety of Genetic Counselors (NSGC), 2016). Theinformation obtained from interviewing LM reveals that hisgrandfather, father and sister all had colorectal cancer. Hispaternal grandmother also had an HNPC related cancer. Since two ofhis first-degree relatives have, his father and sister, havecolorectal cancer, there is a 50% probability that LM will also bediagnosed with colorectal cancer. This condition, hereditarynon-polyposis cancer (HNPCC) is a highly common form of hereditarycolorectal cancer. HNPCC is highly associated with highmicrosatellite instability (MSI-H). This implies that there ismutation of two or more genes within the HNPCC families. These factssuggest that LM is prone to HMPCC and may be diagnosed with it (Yoonet al., 2002).
3.Planning for future wellness (35 points) Likethe case of LM, whenever the family history of a person suggests afuture colorectal cancer, it is important to give the individualgenetic counseling before a genetic testing is done. The geneticcounselor first reviews the family history then discusses some of themost important issues concerning the testing. The effects may includeemotional well-being. In the case of LM whose family has a highlikelihood of inherited colorectal cancer, blood testing (DNAsequencing) for the gene mutations that have historically causedHNPCC may be necessary. Among the tests that have been done in thepast, mutations have been detected in almost half of the HNPCCfamilies. However, a gene test outcome that is positive can onlyprove that the gene has been inherited, but it cannot confirm thatthe patient already has the condition (Munoz, 2015). Anothermethod of testing is microsatellite instability (MSI). It issometimes done on cancerous tissues or polyps. In case LM is found tohave colon cancer, the cancerous tissues can be tested using MSI. Isthe MSI test is positive, together with the strong LM’s familyhistory, can be very suggestive of HNPCC? It is, however, importantto follow this gene testing together with a direct DNA sequencing.Patients who have a positive DNA test require regular gynecologic andcolorectal surveillance so that cancer can be detected or preventedwhen it is still in its early, curable stages. If LM decides that hewill not undergo gene testing, or if the testing fails to find themutation, there is still need to carry out a genetesting. Toprevent colorectal cancer, it is important to include regularcolonoscopies in the plan. Colonoscopy should be done once every twoyears until LM reaches 40 years of age. After this, he should beexamined once every one year. In most cases of cancer, it starts fromthe adenomatous polyps. These polyps can easily be removed duringcolonoscopy. It is also important to recommend a healthy diet to LM.Healthy eating can help him in preventing colorectal cancer. Anylifestyle change, however, requires a serious consultation with adoctor (Munoz, 2015). Incase LM is found with cancer, his entire colon can be surgicallyremoved. This is the only definite way of ensuring that the coloncancer is prevented from recurring. After the surgery, it is possiblefor most patients to continue eating normal diets and still lead lifeas normal (Cleveland Clinic, 2016). LMshould also be encouraged to take regular exercises like walking andrunning. These can help him in using his muscles and therefore cellsand keep them strong. This can be effective in boosting his immunity.He should also be encouraged to avoid smoking cigarettes or drinkingalcohol as these can lower his resistance and make him susceptible tocolorectal cancer (Cleveland Clinic, 2016). Inexplaining the results of the genetic family history, it is importantto mention that the results are only suggestive of a possible case ofcolorectal cancer. Starting with a certainty that the family historysuggests an inevitable diagnosis with the disease is both factuallyand ethically incorrect. It is factually wrong because the resultsonly propose a percentage possibility of the disease occurring. It ismorally wrong to tell a client that they are going to be diagnosedwith a disease because it can be very stressful and depressing. Thiscan further deteriorate the patient`s condition (Cleveland Clinic,2016).
References
Cleveland Clinic. (2016). Hereditary Non-polyposis Colorectal Cancer (HNPCC). Disease and Conditions.
Munoz, J.C. (2015). Hereditary Colorectal Cancer. Medscape.
National Society of Genetic Counselors. (2016). Your Genetic Health: Patient Information – Collecting and Understanding Your Family History. NSGC Executive Office. Wabash Avenue, Chicago.