South West expertise brings genomics to a national audience
01 July 2026
The South West Genomic Medicine Service (SWGMS) has played an important part in bringing genomic medicine into the national spotlight.
SWGMS Director of Nursing, Tracie Miles, has recently supported with a breast cancer storyline on BBC Radio 4’s The Archers.
The storyline focuses on Ruth Archer, who had breast cancer in her early 30s, and her daughter Pip, who begins to question her own risk after a recent scare. As Pip looks into genomic testing, the programme explores questions many families face in real life; whether to have a genomic test, what the results might mean, and how those decisions can affect the wider family.
Tracie worked closely with the programme’s scriptwriters over several months to help ensure the story was accurate and grounded in real experience. Her expertise also features in Episode 84 of The Archers podcast on BBC Sounds, where she helps explain genomic testing relevant to breast cancer risk and why individuals may respond differently to the same information.
Raising topics like genomic testing in mainstream media help us raise vital awareness, prompt conversations, and gives people a starting point for thinking about their own health and family history. Genomic testing is not just about identifying risk, it often involves uncertainty, different perspectives within families, and emotionally complex decision-making.
The Archer family’s differing reactions to the possibility of a BRCA gene change reflect the range of responses we often see in practice.
Genetic predisposition to Breast Cancer
Did you know that Women with a BRCA1 or BRCA2 gene change have a 60-80% lifetime risk of developing breast cancer?
Breast cancer affects 1 in 7 women in the general population. In a small proportion (5-10%) of cases, there is an underlying genetic cause. The best-known breast cancer susceptibility genes are BRCA1 and BRCA2 which are associated with an increased lifetime risk of breast and ovarian cancer. There are a number of other genes which contribute to breast cancer risk and NHS testing looks at a panel of seven genes like BRCA1 and BRCA2, some of these other genes are also associated with an ovarian cancer risk. Not all genes are associated with the same level of breast cancer risk as BRCA1 and BRCA2.
Changes in the genes associated with breast cancer predisposition, are more likely to be present in people with a strong family history of breast (and ovarian) cancer, people diagnosed with breast cancer at an early age (<40 years), or people with certain types of breast cancer for example, triple negative breast cancer or bilateral disease diagnosed under 60 years.
Families with a genetic predisposition to breast cancer can access additional breast screening, and are able to consider risk reducing surgical measures to manage their cancer risk.
Patients from families with a known genetic predisposition, or where there is a strong family history of breast and ovarian cancer, can be referred to the South West Clinical Genetics Service.
‘BReast CAncer Genes and Me’
‘BReast CAncer Genes and Me’ is a digital patient empowerment project that’s set to transform the experience of people with a diagnosis of breast cancer that might have implications for other family members.
The project introduces the concept of genetic testing for breast cancer in an accessible format, presented as a six-part series of colourful animations. Each video features digestible information accompanied by gentle music and a clear voiceover that takes the participant through the process and implications of genetic testing.
This project has been developed as part of a Collaborative Working initiative between the South West Genomic Medicine Service Alliance and AstraZeneca UK, and has been co-designed by clinicians and patients alike, providing an overview of the genetic testing pathway from start to finish.
BReast CAncer Genes and Me aims to streamline the consent process for breast cancer genetic testing through a digital consent pathway, supporting patients and their families through every stage and guiding them to become confident decision-makers.
View the videos on our website here or on our YouTube channel here: