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The Cancer Genetics team at the Southwest Thames Centre for Genomics serves a population of approximately three and a half million people across South West London, Surrey and West Sussex. The aim of the service is to identify people at increased risk of developing cancer because of underlying genetic factors. If we find that a person has an increased chance of getting cancer due to genetic factors we can consider any screening options to pick up cancers early, at a treatable stage, and other treatments to reduce the risk of cancer.

We proudly serve a diverse population and strive to make our service accessible for all. Our team has expertise in equality, diversity, and inclusion in healthcare, and are working to remove barriers to access to genetics for all. We hope that those from underserved communities included disabled people, LGBTQIA+ individuals, and Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic people (which are now the global majority), all feel welcomed by our service. We appreciate feedback on how we can improve in this area.

Who we see

We see people who already have a cancer diagnosis to try to identify if their cancer may have been due to an underlying genetic cause. We also see cancer patients who have already had a genetic cause for their cancer identified by their treatment team.

Identifying a genetic cause for a cancer may give an explanation for a cancer diagnosis and guide cancer treatment. It may also allow us to advise people with cancer, and their relatives, on their future cancer risk and offer a personalised plan to reduce this risk.

We also assess people who are concerned about their cancer risk because of their family history. We see those with a high-risk family history. However, it is important to note it is always most informative to offer genetic testing in someone affected with cancer, so we may not always be able to unaffected individuals a genetic test. We do not accept referrals for those at moderate risk of cancer, and these individuals should be managed by a family history service.

Information for healthcare professionals

If you are a healthcare professional who wishes to make a referral to our service or request a genetic test for inherited cancer risk please read our guidelines for healthcare professionals.

Information for patients

If you are a patient who has been referred to us or is thinking of requesting a referral to our service, please read our information for patients, please read our information for patients.

Our clinics

We can offer telephone and video appointments for patients who would prefer these, or those who do not need a physical examination. Please contact our clinic co-ordination team at Genetic.Appts@stgeorges.nhs.uk if you would like to change to appointment type from telephone, in person or video.

We hold regular face to face clinics at St George’s Hospital in Tooting, London, and also offer face to face appointments in other hospitals across our region:

  • Queen Mary Hospital, Roehampton
  • East Surrey Hospital
  • Royal Surrey County Hospital
  • Jarvis Breast Centre
  • Crawley Hospital
  • Worthing Hospital
  • Frimley Park Hospital
  • St Heliers Hospital

We also run the following specialised clinics:

  • Endocrine genetics cancer clinic – in association with endocrinologists at St George’s Hospital
  • Von Hippel Lindau screening clinic – in association with endocrinologists and ophthalmologists at St George’s Hospital
  • Cancer genetics carrier clinics – for individuals who carry a high risk cancer gene variants at St George’s Hospital and Royal Surrey County Hospital (BRCA carrier clinic)
  • Paediatric cancer clinic – at the Royal Marsden Hospital
  • Haematology cancer clinic – at Kings College Hospital