Should I be screened due to family history of cancer?

My brother's wife unfortunately passed away from advanced ovarian cancer. Because of the cancer history on both sides, his daughters have to have their ovaries removed as a precaution against breast cancer. I got to thinking about myself but do not know my father's history. My Gran had uterine cancer and I thought on trying to find out about my father. My GP said that wasn't important as it only came down the female line and uterine cancer had nothing to do with it. My nieces have been told it is very important to have both maternal and paternal history. Any thoughts on this at all please?