Series 5 Episode 5 - Breaking Barriers: Personal Stories and the Role of Liquid Biopsies

Welcome to Genomics Now, a podcast series where you can learn how genomics is developing in England's NHS. This podcast series is recorded in 2024 and is part of the North Thames Genomic Medicine Service's (NTGMS) educational toolkit.

In each bite-sized episode, we explore what is changing in genomics. We answer the questions on genomics we've been asked by different healthcare professionals, discuss the ways genomics may impact various healthcare roles, and how genomics can be used to improve patient care successfully.

In this final episode of the NTGMS liquid biopsy podcast series, Dr. Shazia Mahamdallie welcomes Gini as her co-host, a Trustee for EGFR Positive UK. Today, they are joined by Mark and Janet who have lived-experience of biopsy testing for lung cancer.

Mark was diagnosed 12 years ago with stage two lung cancer, today he shares his journey from initial symptoms to the groundbreaking liquid biopsy that revealed a genetic change leading to successful targeted treatment.

Janet recounts her recent diagnosis and the symptoms that led her to participate in the NHS's lung cancer pilot for liquid biopsy testing, and that led to her swift treatment turnaround.

Join us as we explore the critical role of liquid biopsies in lung cancer treatment and the profound impact this test the NHS is piloting can have on patients' lives.

For more resources and updates on genomic-based clinical developments and research, visit the North Thames Genomic Medicine Service website. If you enjoyed this episode, share your thoughts and spread the word on social media by tagging the North Thames Genomic Medicine Service.