The Oncogenetics Group aims to translate laboratory findings about genetic risk factors for cancer into the clinic. Our focus is primarily 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 includes 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 extending all the way from primary to tertiary care. We have established collaborations with primary care to effect studies in the community.
We have established a uro-genetics clinic to investigate the application of genetic research in prostate cancer predisposition to the clinic. This is in addition to specialised prostate cancer predisposition risk clinic for the translational research into and management of men with mutations in the genes BRCA1, BRCA2 and Lynch Syndrome. The prostate cancer risk clinic will shortly be expanded to include new studies in genetic panel testing and its application.
The group also coordinates a number of psychosocial studies evaluating the impact of genetics and screening on men at high risk of prostate cancer.