PARLIAMENTARY WRITTEN QUESTION
Bowel Cancer: Screening (14 June 2022)

Genomic testing for patients in the National Health Service in England is delivered through seven NHS Genomic Laboratory Hubs (GLHs), as outlined in the National Genomic Test Directory. The Directory sets out the eligibility criteria for patients, the genomic targets to be tested and the method used. This includes genomic testing for Lynch syndrome for eligible bowel cancer patients, in accordance with the National Institute of Health and Care Excellence’s (NICE) guidance.

NICE advises that all patients with bowel cancer should be tested for Lynch syndrome. NHS England and NHS Improvement have published a framework for testing and surveillance and provided funding to Cancer Alliances. NHS England and NHS Improvement’s Genomics Unit is supporting the implementation of testing pathways for Lynch syndrome, identifying champions in every colorectal multidisciplinary team and delivering training to cancer teams. Infrastructure to allow patients with Lynch syndrome to be enrolled into the NHS Bowel Cancer Screening Programme is also being established.