In practice

Having a family history in a common condition, such as heart disease or diabetes, can be an important risk factor. For rare, inherited conditions, a genetic family tree can help to inform testing, surveillance, treatment and management strategies.

With genomics increasingly being used in routine NHS care, along with the rise of direct-to-consumer testing, health professionals are more likely than ever to be talking to their patients about genomics.

Genomics plays a role in the management of a range of medical conditions. It is well established that the majority of rare diseases have a genetic basis, but genomic testing is also increasingly being used for patients with cancer and other conditions.