The Oncogenetics Group aims to translate laboratory findings about genetic risk factors for cancer into the clinic. Our focus is on predisposition to prostate cancer. The laboratory component of the research programme involves the search for prostate cancer predisposition genes and studies of their mutation spectra, risks and interactions with environmental factors.

The clinical component of the research encompasses risk profiling, targeted screening, prevention and the application of cancer genetics to cancer management. There is close interaction with The Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust and, in addition to studies in the management of individuals with a predisposition to prostate cancer, there is a research programme in genetic counselling and integration of cancer genetics into the cancer care pathway.

We have established an uro-genetics clinic to investigate the application of genetic research in prostate cancer predisposition to the clinic. This is in addition to our now long-established specialised carrier clinic for the translational research into and management of individuals with mutations in the genes BRCA1 and BRCA2.

There are also psychosocial studies conducted in collaboration with the Department of Psychological Medicine.