NHS Builds Cancer Gene Database for Thousands of Families

Thousands of families across the UK will soon know if they carry genes that dramatically increase their cancer risk, thanks to a groundbreaking national database launched by the NHS.

The health service is building the National Inherited Cancer Predisposition Register, tracking 120 genes known to raise cancer likelihood. Among them is the BRCA gene, famously called the "Jolie gene" after actress Angelina Jolie chose preventative surgery when she discovered she carried it.

Here's what makes this revolutionary: family members of cancer patients can now get their genes tested and compared against the database for free. If they carry high-risk genes, they'll automatically receive invitations for earlier screening and preventative monitoring.

Professor Peter Johnson, national clinical director for cancer at NHS England, calls it "a new era of cancer prevention." The system means people can access tailored advice on reducing their risk and catch cancers early when they're most treatable.

The program builds on the success of the Lynch syndrome registry, which has already identified thousands of people with this inherited condition and connected them to routine preventative screening. Those efforts have saved countless lives by catching cancers before they progress.

Health Secretary Wes Streeting emphasized the personal power this gives families. "While we cannot do anything about inherited genes, we can do something about what we do with that information," he said.

The Ripple Effect

This database doesn't just help individuals. It's creating a roadmap for personalized cancer care across entire family trees.

When one person tests positive for a high-risk gene, their relatives gain life-saving information too. They can make informed choices about screening, lifestyle changes, and even preventative treatments before cancer develops.

The system will also help doctors match patients with treatments most likely to work for their specific genetic profile. That means more effective care and better outcomes for thousands currently fighting the disease.

Claire Rowney, chief executive of Breast Cancer Now, says the register has the potential to "transform lives." The data collected will also supercharge cancer research, helping scientists understand which treatments work best for different genetic profiles.

One in two people will develop cancer in their lifetime, but those odds aren't random. For families carrying high-risk genes, knowledge truly is power, turning genetic vulnerability into an opportunity for prevention.

The NHS is proving that the future of cancer care isn't just better treatment but stopping the disease before it ever begins.