Lifestyle factor
Family history and life expectancy
Family history of early death from heart disease or cancer is a modest but real predictor of individual risk.
What the research suggests
Having a parent or sibling who died early from cardiovascular disease or certain cancers is associated with somewhat higher personal risk, reflecting both inherited factors and shared environment. The effect is modest compared with major modifiable factors such as smoking, and a family history is not destiny.
What helps
- Knowing your family history and sharing it with your GP
- Earlier or more frequent screening where advised
- Controlling modifiable risk factors
- Not smoking
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How does family history affect life expectancy?
Having a parent or sibling who died early from cardiovascular disease or certain cancers is associated with somewhat higher personal risk, reflecting both inherited factors and shared environment. The effect is modest compared with major modifiable factors such as smoking, and a family history is not destiny.
What is the single most useful change?
Knowing your family history and sharing it with your GP. Sustained changes started earlier tend to have the largest effect, though benefit is associated with change at any age.