Identifying risks to your longevity
‘BUDGET’ PATHWAY (Low cost, more effort)
There are three important elements in a proper longevity strategy, which we define as your detailed plan and specific, targeted tactics for achieving your lifespan and healthspan goals.
The first element, and common sense starting point, is identifying your longevity risks. This is the best place to start, and the other elements of the longevity strategy follow this exercise quite naturally.
To identify your longevity risks and to guide you on what to do about them, we’ll leverage the principles of risk assessment and management.
The principles of risk management are mature and proven, with established techniques used across a wide variety of industries. They help to avoid negative outcomes wherever possible, and minimise their impact where otherwise.
Longevity Blog can help you apply these proven methods to personal wellness. You’ll begin by identifying areas where you are at elevated risk of age-related diseases - this is called risk assessment.
One you know what your biggest risks are, you can take meaningful action to manage your risk (in collaboration with a healthcare professional).
Longevity runs in the family
Completing a longevity risk assessment ultimately means writing out a comprehensive a list of health conditions you are at risk for.
In identifying these risks, you are also tasked with estimating their likelihood (probability of occurring) and their consequences (the outcomes your want to avoid).
Where to begin? Interestingly, with a deep dive into those who share your genetics - your family!
Step 1: Complete a family medical history
Estimated time to completion: 60-90 minutes
Cost: $0
A snapshot of our free medical history form
Getting started on your personal longevity risk assessment exercise is free, but it does take a bit of detective work!
Your starting point is gathering a family medical history.
The purpose of this is to inform you of areas of potential elevated health risk, based on diseases experienced by related family members (who share your genetics).
Note that even if you travel to the fanciest and most premium longevity clinic on the planet (much like our Founder Nick does regularly), you will be asked to complete this exercise.
Why not get a head start?
Get the medical history form here
Once you download our free family medical history form, where to start depends on your age bracket and existing knowledge about your family.
If your parents are still alive, they will be the best place to start the discussion. If not, a surviving aunt or uncle will suit.
This form also gives you the chance to compile your own medical history.
We’ll loop around on what to do with this form in a few moments.
It can take a few hours to put this together, so feel free to read ahead and come back to it when you have time.
This family medical history will directly inform the likelihood of disease (e.g. my father has had high blood pressure since his mid 30s, I may have a genetic tendency to have high blood pressure at a young age), and in some cases, the consequence (e.g. Uncle Bill’s heart attack killed him at age 55).
Be sure to list out the consequence of any condition in the ‘Your Notes’ column.
longevity is lifestyle driven
The “Your Disease Risk” tool by Siteman Cancer Center is a longstanding, high quality risk assessment tool. If you used it, be sure to read their disclaimer.
Step 2: Complete a free online questionnaire
Estimated time to completion: 60-90 minutes
Cost: $0
Your next step is utilise another free tool, which will build on the information you compiled in the above exercise.
The Siteman Cancer Center “Your Disease Risk” web tool is an incredible resource for developing your identifying two key areas of your plan.
First, it can establish the likelihood of disease development for 12 of the most common cancers and 6 other age-related chronic diseases.
Second, it can also provide you with ideas for how to manage your risk (e.g. 4-5x servings of tomatoes to lower your prostate cancer risk).
Keep a record of your results, and the guidance you received. You’ll need them to continue.
You should complete all of the available modules to get as complete a picture as possible.
Find the Siteman Your Disease Risk Tool here.
Longevity information overload
Step 3: Consolidate
If you’ve completed each of the above steps, well done! It likely took you a few hours of work, and you’re likely to come away from the exercise with a bit of ‘information overload’.
This can feel overwhelming, but if you trust the process, it will all become much more manageable as we take the next steps together.
Importantly, if you end up feeling any anxiety or concern over your results, be sure to slot in a chat with your primary care physician / GP. They are your partner in this journey!
Next Up: Consolidate & Assess! Let’s Go!