Genomics and cancer treatment: new events will showcase developments
Posted 08 March 2019 - 10:47
The government hopes genome sequencing technology will improve the treatment of cancer
A series of NHS and healthcare events are taking place over the coming weeks to spark a conversation among healthcare professionals about genomics.
They will help educate healthcare professionals about the benefits of genomics – the practice of using people’s DNA and genetic information to inform their clinical care – in improving diagnosis and treatment for patients.
Health Education England (HEE) held its second annual #GenomicsConversation this week to increase health professionals’ familiarity about genomics. HEE’s campaign involves panel events, online courses, the launch of new podcasts and educational resources.
In December last year, health secretary Matt Hancock announced that the 100,000 Genomes Project, led by Genomics England in partnership with NHS England, reached its goal of sequencing 100,000 whole genomes from NHS patients.
The programme was launched in 2012 by then prime minister David Cameron, with the goal of harnessing whole genome sequencing technology to improve diagnosis and treatments for people with rare inherited diseases and cancer. The project laid the foundations for a NHS Genomic Medicine Service, which will provide genomic testing to patients across the NHS from 2019.
HEE wants to make healthcare professionals aware of the roll-out of the new service and whole genome sequencing so that they feel more comfortable discussing genomic testing with patients, and can signpost them to relevant information and services.
Personalised care
Meanwhile, the University of Cambridge will be holding an event on genomics on 13 March as part of Cambridge Science Festival to celebrate the sequencing of all 100,000 genomes and the UK becoming the first nation in the world to apply genome sequencing at scale in healthcare.
Genomics England interim chief executive and chief scientist Mark Caulfield said: ‘The Genomic Medicine Service is the first of its kind where genomics will be embedded into a national health system and transform routine healthcare in the UK.’
Four regional events organised by NHS England in partnership with Macmillan Cancer Support, Cancer Research UK and NHS Horizons will take place in London, Birmingham, Bristol and Leeds, starting from 12 April. Entitled Genomics and Personalisation of Cancer Care, they will explore how genomics can be embedded into personalised cancer care.
They will also enable those working in NHS Genomic Medicine Centres to engage with the public and other healthcare professionals to reflect on the transformation that has already taken place, and consider the changes that will be needed in the future.
Cancer Nursing Practice conference
Genomics will also be among the topics presented at Cancer Nursing Practice’s annual conference on 1 May, where Barts Cancer Institute and Genomics England specialty trainee and clinical research fellow in medical oncology Alison May Berner will present on the implications of genomics for people with cancer and nursing. She will also discuss some of the findings of the 100,000 Genomes Project by drawing on patient case studies.
The overall theme of the conference is patient experience. Topics include dementia and cancer, social prescribing, pain management, managing a large systemic anti-cancer therapy unit and supporting patients with recovery.
Royal Wolverhampton NHS Trust matron for oncology and haematology Doreen Black, who won the top leadership category in NHS England’s 2018 Windrush Awards, will make a keynote address.
The early bird rate for registration expires on 15 March and you can book here
Find out more
- 100,000 Genomes Project: transforming precision healthcare event on 13 March
- Genomics and Personalisation of Cancer Care events in London, Birmingham, Bristol and Leeds
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