How can genomics help us understand cancer?

How can genomics help us understand cancer?

From Behind the Genes by Genomics England

December 17, 2025 · 9 min · Episode 180

About this episode

Dr. Katie Snape explains how genomics can enhance our understanding of cancer.

In this explainer episode, we’ve asked Dr Katie Snape, principal clinician at Genomics England, cancer geneticist, and specialist in inherited cancer, to explain how genomics can help us understand cancer. You can also find a series of short videos explaining some of the common terms you might encounter about genomics on our YouTube channel. If you’ve got any questions, or have any other topics you’d like us to explain, let us know on podcast@genomicsengland.co.uk. You can download the transcript or read it below. Flo: How can genomics help us understand cancer? I'm Florence Cornish, and today I'm joined with Katie Snape, who is Principal Clinician here at Genomics England, lead Consultant for Cancer Genetics at the Southwest Thames Centre for Genomics, and Chair of UK Cancer Genetics Group. So Katie, it's probably safe to say that everyone listening will have heard the word cancer before. Lots of people may have even been directly affected by it or know someone who has it or who has had it, and I think the term can feel quite scary sometimes and intimidating to understand. So, it might be good if you could explain what we actually mean when we say the word cancer. Katie: Thanks…

People in this episode

Host: Florence Cornish

Guest: Dr Katie Snape

Topics covered

  • genomics
  • cancer
  • genetic information
  • healthcare
  • inheritance

Keywords

  • genomics
  • cancer genetics
  • genetic information
  • inherited cancer
  • healthcare

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: Genomics England, UK Cancer Genetics Group, Southwest Thames Centre for Genomics

More episodes of Behind the Genes

Explore listener stats, chart rankings, contacts and more on the Behind the Genes podcast page.