10 HEALTH QUESTIONS TO ASK YOUR MUM – NOW!

Skip the small talk this Mother’s Day and get to the root of your health heritage

- LUCY ROBINSON

Being told you look just like your mum might well be a welcome comment (or not!) but there’s so much more to our genetic inheritance than things like the colour of our eyes or the shape of our nose.

From an increased susceptibility to different cancers and a tendency to suffer anxiety to the age menopause hits us – many health conditions and life-threatening illnesses can be passed down from our mothers and grandmothers.

That’s why understanding your inherited predisposition to certain ailments can be key to safeguarding your wellbeing – and potentially help you dodge a genetic bullet.

Use these 10 questions, which are approved by medical professionals, to start unlocking secrets…

1 HAVE YOU EVER HAD A MOLE REMOVED?

Most people have moles and most moles are harmless. However, the more moles you have on your body, the higher your risk of melanoma – a form of skin cancer.

“Although most non-melanoma skin cancers don’t run in families, research has found some families have a higher number than normal,” says cosmetic surgeon Dr Paul Banwell.

“And skin type does run in families, so people from fair-skinned families will be at greater risk.”

2 HAVE YOU EVER SUFFERED FROM ANY SKIN PROBLEMS?

Skin care is more than eye creams and face masks, so it’s useful to talk to your mum about her skin health because some signs of premature ageing are genetic, meaning that preventive action is crucial. Additionally, other skin problems can run in families, explains cosmetic doctor and hormone expert Dr Martin Kinsella.

“Allergic disorders tend to run in families, so if your mum has atopic dermatitis, asthma or hay fever, then you’re more likely to develop atopic dermatitis. ”