To examine lifestyle habits and cancer screening behavior in relation to a family history of cancer among Japanese women.A cross-sectional study was conducted based on baseline data from the Japan Nurses' Health Study collected from June 2001 to March 2007. Participants were 47,347 female nurses aged 30–59years residing in 47 prefectures in Japan. We compared lifestyle habits and the utilization of cancer screenings (cervical and breast) between women with and without a family history of the relevant cancer.Although there were no differences in lifestyle habits with the exception of smoking status, women with a family history of uterine cancer were more likely to have undergone cervical cancer screenings (p<0.01). Women with a family history of breast cancer were also more likely to have undergone breast cancer screenings regardless of their age (p<0.01), but lifestyle behaviors did not differ. Among women with a family history of uterine cancer, those with a sister history were more likely to have undergone not only cervical (OR, 1.89; 95% CIs, 1.39–2.58), but also breast cancer screenings (OR, 1.54; 95% CIs 1.13–2.09).Having a family history of cancer was associated with cancer screening behavior, but not health promotive behaviors.