Genomics in Cheshire and Merseyside
Advances in genome sequencing and the associated field of genomics now give us a much more rounded idea of how tumours and other forms of cancer – and medication – affects different individuals.
CMCA is working with clinicians to give them support about genomics and understand how it can be used in cancer services and care.
One of the treatment areas we are working in is with Lynch syndrome. Around half of all people with Lynch Syndrome develop colorectal cancer. It is also responsible for a range of other cancers.
Since 2017, the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) has recommended that all people with colorectal cancer are tested for Lynch syndrome.
An estimated 175,000 people have Lynch syndrome in the UK but fewer than 5% of individuals know they have the condition.
If all people with colorectal cancer and their family members were tested for Lynch syndrome and enrolled into appropriate surveillance pathways by 2028, we would expect up to 380 more colorectal cancers to be diagnosed early across Cheshire and Merseyside.
Over the year, CMCA has worked with the NHS North West Genomic Medicine Service Alliance to scope how pathways and processes across Cheshire and Merseyside can be improved for such testing.
Clinical champions and training have been put in place at each testing laboratory in C&M and funding has been provided to support with the testing. This work will continue into 2022/2023.
You can read a CMCA blog about Genomics here.
You can watch a video about CMCA’s involvement with Genomics here: YouTube - Genomics and CMCA
