Welcome to East Genomics. This page is here to help you learn more about NHS genetic testing in the East of England and East Midlands.
The information provided here is intended for patients who use our services, people who live in the East Midlands or East of England that may need to use our services in the future and anyone wanting to find out more about genomic testing in the NHS.
You can find information on genomics and genomic testing as well as the role of East Genomics.
Non-urgent advice: Are you awaiting test results?
Waiting for test results can be an anxious time and our teams work hard to return results as quickly as possible.
Please do not contact our labs directly for updates on your test. Updates on test progress and results must be provided to you by your clinical team, we are unable to provide them directly.
Genetic testing can take longer than other common medical tests. Depending on the type and urgency of genetic test you’re having, results may take days, weeks or even several months. – view the national targets for different tests.
If you have been told to contact our lab about a test, please use this online form. For clinical advice on genetics please consider contacting your nearest clinical genetics service.
If you have a specific question about genetic testing, take a look at our FAQs page.
What is genetic testing?
Your genes are a key part of who you are and can tell us a lot about your health.
Genomic or genetic testing provides insights into your genes which can help doctors to understand the causes of cancer, identify rare diseases and explore whether your genes put you at greater risk of certain kinds of illnesses. In some cases, the insights gained can also help to select better treatments for you.
We run many different types of tests which provide specific information relevant to your current healthcare needs.
How genetic testing can help you
Here are just some examples of the ways that genetic tests can help make your care better:
- In some cancer cases, genetic testing can reveal key weaknesses in the cancer that can be targeted with treatments known as precision medicines. These medicines are highly effective but only in cancers with specific genetic changes.
- For people with a rare disease, genetic testing can provide a clear, specific diagnosis allowing doctors to provide the right support and treatments faster.
- People who develop cancer early are often tested for genetic changes that increase their cancer risk. If they have these, their relatives can also be tested and anyone that has these changes can be more closely monitored to aid cancer prevention.
- For some medicines, pharmacogenetic testing helps doctors to predict how you will respond to treatment before it starts. This means people who will respond badly to a treatment can be offered alternatives.
Patient stories
Take a look at our news section which includes stories from people in the region who have benefitted from our services:
- Baby Revan had genomic testing as part of the Generation Study, which found he has a rare condition called ALD. Thanks to the testing, his older brother Thorin was also diagnosed, helping them both to start treatment sooner.
- Victoria was diagnosed with Lynch syndrome, a genetic condition that increases her cancer risk. Thanks to the testing she was saved from early stage womb cancer and went on to get married. Her five children can now also be tested for the condition.
- Julia had genetic testing when she developed breast cancer. She found she has a faulty BRCA2 gene, which allowed her to benefit from a precision medicine therapy.
We would love to hear from others who have had a genomic test and who would like to share their story. Please email our Communications Lead Ian Kingsbury to discuss sharing your experience.
Further reading
Continue to find out more about genetic testing on our Resources page.