Genogram example · Medical & hereditary
Cancer Family History (BRCA)
Quick answer
At a glance
| This example | |
|---|---|
| Generations | 3 |
| Family members | 12 (6 male, 6 female) |
| Birth years | 1930 to 1998 |
| Deceased | 2 |
| Index person | Emily Nakamura |
| Conditions marked | Cancer |
| Category | Medical & hereditary |
| Tags | Medical, Educational |
About this genogram
A three-generation genogram tracing a BRCA1 mutation through a maternal lineage. The maternal grandmother was diagnosed with breast cancer at 45 and died at 52. A maternal aunt developed ovarian cancer at 50. The mother tested positive for BRCA1 and underwent prophylactic bilateral mastectomy. The index patient, a 30-year-old female, has just received a positive BRCA1 test result and is weighing her options for risk reduction.
Medical analysis
Overview
This 3-generation genogram maps 12 family members with birth years spanning from 1930 to 1998, comprising 6 males and 6 females (2 deceased). The genogram tracks 2 medical/psychological condition categories. The index patient is Emily Nakamura (b. 1996), graphic designer.
Across 3 generations, the Cancer Family History (BRCA) family demonstrates hereditary risk patterns. The founding generation includes Arthur, Eleanor, Henry, with 2 members presenting health conditions.
Health conditions
Medical and psychological conditions are documented in 6 of 12 family members (50%). Cancer diagnoses appear in 6 members (Arthur, Eleanor, Diane...), affecting 5 females and 1 male. Reproductive appear in 2 members (Diane, Sandra). Comorbidity is observed in 2 family members, with Diane presenting 2 concurrent condition categories. The multigenerational prevalence of cancer diagnoses suggests both genetic predisposition and possible environmental or behavioral transmission pathways.
Genetic counseling perspective
From a genetic counseling perspective, this genogram provides critical risk stratification data. The clustering of cancer diagnoses and reproductive across generations indicates heritable risk factors. Healthcare providers can use this multigenerational map to guide screening recommendations, inform preventive strategies, and counsel family members about their individualized risk profiles.
How do you read the Cancer Family History (BRCA) genogram?
- 1
Find each person and generation
Squares are males and circles are females, and each row is one generation, oldest at the top. This one has 6 males and 6 females across 3 generations. - 2
Check the status markers
Markers on a symbol add facts about that person: Deceased (X) and Index Patient (Arrow). 2 people are marked deceased. The index person, the focus of the assessment, is Emily Nakamura. - 3
Follow the family lines
Horizontal lines join partners and vertical lines drop to their children, born left to right in birth order. This genogram uses Marriage and Parent-Child lines. - 4
Read the shading
Shaded symbols mark health conditions: Cancer. Trace each line of descent to see where a condition recurs and where it stops.
Genogram symbols used in this example
| Symbol | Type | What it means |
|---|---|---|
| Male (Square) | Person Symbols | A square represents a male family member in standard genogram notation. |
| Female (Circle) | Person Symbols | A circle represents a female family member in standard genogram notation. |
| Deceased (X) | Status Markers | An X drawn through the symbol indicates the person is deceased. |
| Index Patient (Arrow) | Status Markers | An arrow pointing to a person identifies them as the index patient — the individual who is the focus of the clinical assessment. |
| Marriage | Structural Relationships | A solid horizontal line connecting two individuals represents a marriage or committed partnership. |
| Parent-Child | Structural Relationships | A vertical line descending from a couple line to a child symbol represents a parent-child relationship. |
| Cancer | Medical Conditions | Shading indicates any cancer diagnosis, with specifics noted in the individual's record. |
Build a genogram like this one
Example prompt
- 1
Start from the dashboard
Sign in to GenogramAI and choose Create with AI (paid plans), or open a blank genogram and use Ask AI (any plan). To start from this exact chart instead, use Open as template. - 2
Describe your family
Paste a description like the one above, with your own names, dates, relationships and health history. - 3
Check and adjust
Edit people and lines by hand, or ask the AI for one change at a time. - 4
Export
Download a PNG on the free plan. PDF and SVG export are on paid plans.
The free plan includes 2 genograms and 5 AI credits a month. See the AI genogram creator for what else it can do.
Related resources
- See our comprehensive guide to medical genograms for tracking hereditary conditions.
- Discover how genograms in family medicine help physicians identify inherited risk factors.
- Learn how genograms for genetic counseling support hereditary risk assessment.
- The deceased symbol (X through the shape) marks family members who have passed away.
- The marriage symbol connects partnered individuals in this genogram.
Frequently asked questions
What clinical patterns does the Cancer Family History (BRCA) genogram reveal?
The Cancer Family History (BRCA) genogram maps multigenerational transmission of psychological patterns, emotional dynamics, and relationship structures. Clinicians use it to identify recurring cycles of behavior, attachment styles, and communication patterns that may inform diagnosis and treatment planning in family therapy.
Why is the Cancer Family History (BRCA) genogram important for medical professionals?
The Cancer Family History (BRCA) genogram helps medical professionals identify hereditary risk factors by mapping conditions across generations. It supports genetic counseling, preventive care planning, and helps patients understand their family health history for informed decision-making.
What genogram symbols are used in the Cancer Family History (BRCA) example?
This genogram uses Male (Square), Female (Circle), Deceased (X), Index Patient (Arrow), Marriage, Parent-Child and Cancer. All of them follow standard genogram notation, so the chart reads the same way in any genogram program or textbook.
Can I build a genogram like the Cancer Family History (BRCA) example?
Yes. Open GenogramAI, choose Create with AI on the dashboard (paid plans) or open a blank genogram and use Ask AI in the editor (any plan), and describe the family in plain words: who is in it, how they are related, key dates and the relationships or health conditions you want to show. The AI draws the symbols and lines, and you can then edit by hand or ask for one change at a time. A family of 12 people like this one takes a short paragraph to describe. The free plan includes 2 genograms and 5 AI credits a month, with PNG export.
About this example
