![\"High-angle](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/SEI_282065985-feb6.jpg\")
\n\t\tThousands of people at risk of inherited cancer could be given regular screening through a \u2018world-first\u2019 gene database developed by NHS England (Picture: Getty Images)<\/p>\n
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\n\t\tThousands of people at risk of inherited cancer could be given regular screening through a \u2018world-first\u2019 gene database developed by NHS England (Picture: Getty Images)<\/p>\n
Thousands of people at risk of inherited\u00a0cancer<\/a>\u00a0could be regularly checked thanks to a \u2018world-first\u2019 programme developed by\u00a0NHS\u00a0<\/a>England<\/a>.<\/p>\n The health service said it is building a register of 120 genes known to increase the likelihood of getting\u00a0cancer\u00a0\u2013 the first of its kind \u2013 as part of a 10-year plan to improve the prevention and treatment of the disease.<\/p>\n Family members of\u00a0cancer\u00a0patients, as well as people who have\u00a0cancer, could have their genes compared to the database, allowing for earlier screening and more personalised treatments.<\/p>\n Professor Peter Johnson, National Clinical Director for\u00a0Cancer\u00a0at NHS England said the health service is entering \u2018a new era of cancer prevention\u2019.<\/p>\n He said the register \u2018could help ensure thousands more people can be offered screening, tests and the latest treatments\u2019.<\/p>\n \t\t\t\tSign up for all of the latest stories\t\t\t<\/p>\n Start your day informed with Metro’s News Updates<\/a> newsletter or get Breaking News<\/a> alerts the moment it happens. <\/p>\n Cancer patients and their family members could have their genes compared to the database in order to detect the disease.<\/p>\n \t\t This would allow for regular checks, earlier screening, more personalised treatments and check if a person\u2019s cancer might be more receptive to particular treatments.<\/p>\n \u2018One in every two people will get cancer in their lifetime,\u2019 the health secretary said, adding that many may be at higher risk through inherited faulty genes.<\/p>\n He said harnessing information gathered by research into inherited genes may help to improve cancer prevention.<\/p>\n \u2018By launching this world-leading genetic register for people with genetic conditions with an increased risk of\u00a0cancer, we can provide personalised and preventative care sooner,\u2019 he said.<\/p>\n \u2018This register won\u2019t just supercharge innovation \u2013 it will be life-changing and life-saving, allowing the NHS to develop individual care, fast-track screening and tailored information to enable more\u00a0cancers\u00a0to be caught earlier.\u2019<\/p>\n Meanwhile, leading doctors have praised the programme for stepping in the right direction for cancer prevention.<\/p>\n \t\t Professor Johnson said: \u2018We are entering a new era of\u00a0cancer\u00a0prevention with pioneering research and testing helping us to discover more about how genes influence our chances of developing\u00a0cancer\u00a0\u2013 and this register could help ensure thousands more people can be offered screening, tests and the latest treatments.<\/p>\n \u2018Finding out you have an inherited risk of\u00a0cancer\u00a0can be life-changing, but it also supports people to access tailored advice on risk-reducing steps and vital monitoring, to increase the chances of any\u00a0cancers\u00a0being picked up early or even preventing the disease altogether.\u2019<\/p>\n The groundbreaking register comes after the successful Lynch syndrome register, which helped offer routine preventative screening to thousands who have been identified with the condition, NHS England said.<\/p>\n Claire Rowney, chief executive of Breast\u00a0Cancer\u00a0Now, has welcomed the new system, adding that the charity<\/a> has long called for a programme of this nature.<\/p>\n \u2018We are delighted to see the UK Government<\/a> commit to creating a comprehensive national database for people at an increased risk of\u00a0cancer, to facilitate better access to earlier, more frequent screening and to risk-reducing treatments,\u2019 she said.<\/p>\n Get in touch with our news team by emailing us at webnews@metro.co.uk<\/a>.<\/p>\n For more stories like this, check our news page<\/a>.<\/p>\n Arrow Arrow Arrow![\"The](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/SEI_276756833-db27.jpg\")
\n\t\tPeople with inherited faulty genes for cancer could receive regular screening and routine checks under a pioneering gene programme, NHS England said (Picture: Jeff Moore\/PA Wire)<\/p>\n![\"Health](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/SEI_280888267-814b.jpg\")
\n\t\tHealth Secretary Wes Streeting has said the database will help to modernise the NHS (Picture: Jordan Pettitt\/PA Wire)<\/p>\n
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