During history taking, there is opportunity to be broader than the disease in question and to attend to risk factors.
Past history of disease and related disease is also important. Other diseases
that affects one's risk for anaesthesia and clinical condition should be
addressed carefully, e.g. young man with previous MI going for herniorrhaphy
or young lady with breast cancer that has gallstones. Family history should be
highlighted if it is related or the same as disease in question, also gives
opportunity for screening. (e.g. breast lump examination of female patients
40 years old)