Thousands of Scots could soon be tested for cancer risk in major programme

Thousands urged 'help shape the future' in major cancer project

The NHS is backing a major research project

Scotland-wide testing to be offered for Orkney and Shetland genes

The BRCA1 and BRCA2 variants are associated with certain cancers.

Thousands of Scots could soon be tested for cancer risk in major programme

Thousands of people with Westray or Whalsay ancestry could benefit from a new Scotland-wide genetic testing programme targeting inherited cancer…

Charities fund Scotland-wide testing project to identify inherited cancer risk in people with Westray and Whalsay ancestry

A landmark charity-funded project will offer genetic testing to thousands of people with ancestral links to Westray in Orkney and Whalsay in Shetland, helping identify those who have a higher inherited risk of developing certain cancers. Eight charities are funding the two-year project, which will cost more than £365,000. The project will be led by…  Continue reading >Charities fund Scotland-wide testing project to identify inherited cancer risk…

People with Whalsay ancestry throughout Scotland to be offered genetic screening through new charity-led initiative to identify inherited cancer risk

It is the first time NHS charities have come together to fund a Scotland-wide project.

Westray gene testing to be rolled out nationwide

Testing is to be rolled out nationwide for a genetic cancer risk in people with Westray ancestry. The charitably funded project will help identify people with a variant in the BRCA1 gene, which can increase the risk of ovarian and breast cancer. The Westray mutation of the gene was discovered by researchers from the Universities of Aberdeen and Edinburgh, and revealed in March 2023. Another variant, in the BRCA2 gene, particular to people with a…