• St George's logo
  • Cangene canvar logo

Interpreting Genomic Variation: Inherited Cancer Susceptibility

Explore how robust variant interpretation is needed to support patients with increased risk of cancer.

1,511 enrolled on this course

A blue illustration of DNA.

Interpreting Genomic Variation: Inherited Cancer Susceptibility

1,511 enrolled on this course

  • 2 weeks

  • 3 hours per week

  • Digital certificate when eligible

  • Intermediate level

Find out more about how to join this course

Explore germline variation in cancer susceptibility genes

Germline genomic variation can increase the risk of developing cancer. It’s essential to use the best evidence available to decide if a genomic variant is likely to increase the chance of a person developing cancer. This allows us to offer at-risk individuals access to appropriate screening, prevention, and personalised treatments.

Learn how to interpret genes for susceptibility to cancer

On this course, you will consider how variant interpretation in cancer susceptibility genes has different considerations when compared with variant interpretation in rare paediatric disease.

You’ll explore the guidelines produced by the UK Cancer Variant Interpretation Group (CanVIG-UK) for variant interpretation and how these can be applied to the American College of Medical Genetics (ACMG) framework in the classification of germline variants in cancer susceptibility genes.

Study the CanVIG-UK guidelines in theory and practice

This course will provide you with patient examples to explore the complexities of variant interpretation in cancer genomics. You’ll also hear from experts in the field about how the CanVIG-UK guidance was created.

You’ll be encouraged to apply your learning through case-based exercises that illustrate both the strengths and weaknesses of the tools and guidelines available for cancer variant interpretation.

Study with world-leading genomic experts at St George’s

Learn from Professor Kate Tatton-Brown and Dr Katie Snape – renowned consultant Clinical Geneticists leading on variant interpretation for rare disease and cancer.

This course is part of a series with Interpreting Genomic Variation: Fundamental Principles.

What topics will you cover?

  • Inherited genetic variation in familial cancer syndromes.
  • Tools for variant interpretation and how these are applied to the interpretation of cancer susceptibility gene variation.
  • The application of the ACMG framework to inherited cancer.
  • The implementation of a clinical framework to embed cancer susceptibility gene interpretation into clinical practice.

When would you like to start?

Start straight away and join a global classroom of learners. If the course hasn’t started yet you’ll see the future date listed below.

  • Available now

Learning on this course

On every step of the course you can meet other learners, share your ideas and join in with active discussions in the comments.

What will you achieve?

By the end of the course, you‘ll be able to...

  • Describe the importance of large scale collaborative infrastructure to standardise evidence based variant interpretation in cancer susceptibility genes
  • Apply the CanVIG-UK guidelines for variant interpretation to classify variants in cancer susceptibility genes involved in hereditary breast and ovarian cancer and Lynch Syndrome
  • Assess the strengths and weaknesses of the American College of Medical Genetics (ACMG) guidelines for variant interpretation in complex disease, such as cancer, compared to rare paediatric disease
  • Explore the different ways in which cancer susceptibility gene variant interpretation can impact on patient care
  • Assess the complexities of applying cancer susceptibility gene variant interpretation in clinical practice including the implications of reduced penetrance variants and potential changes in classifications over time

Who is the course for?

This course would be suitable for:

• Clinical Genetics doctors (consultant and specialist registrars) • Clinical Scientists • Genetic Counsellors • Clinical Oncology doctors (consultants and specialist registrars) • Pathologists undertaking cancer MDTs • Specialist oncology nurses undertaking genetic testing

Who will you learn with?

I'm a consultant cancer geneticist at St George's University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust. My research involved using next generation sequencing technology to identify genes associated with cancer.

I'm a Genetic Counsellor and Honorary Clinical Lecturer in Cancer Genomics.

Who developed the course?

St George's, University of London

St George’s is the UK’s only university dedicated to medical and health sciences education, training and research.

CanGene CanVar

CanGene CanVar is a five-year Cancer Research UK-funded research program which develops data resources, clinical and educational tools to leverage cancer susceptibility genetic for early detection and prevention of cancer.

Ways to learn

Buy this course

Subscribe & save

Limited access

Choose the best way to learn for you!

$104/one-off payment

$27.99

For the first two months. Automatically renews

Free

Fulfill your current learning needDevelop skills to further your careerSample the course materials
Access to this courseticktick

Access expires 12 Apr 2024

Access to 1,000+ coursescrosstickcross
Learn at your own paceticktickcross
Discuss your learning in commentstickticktick
Certificate when you're eligiblePrinted and digitalDigital onlycross
Continue & Upgrade

Cancel for free anytime

Ways to learn

Choose the best way to learn for you!

Subscribe & save

$27.99

For the first two months. Automatically renews

Develop skills to further your career

  • Access to this course
  • Access to 1,000+ courses
  • Learn at your own pace
  • Discuss your learning in comments
  • Digital certificate when you're eligible

Cancel for free anytime

Buy this course

$104/one-off payment

Fulfill your current learning need

  • Access to this course
  • Learn at your own pace
  • Discuss your learning in comments
  • Printed and digital certificate when you’re eligible

Limited access

Free

Sample the course materials

  • Access expires 12 Apr 2024

Find out more about certificates, Unlimited or buying a course (Upgrades)

T&Cs apply.

Learning on FutureLearn

Your learning, your rules

  • Courses are split into weeks, activities, and steps to help you keep track of your learning
  • Learn through a mix of bite-sized videos, long- and short-form articles, audio, and practical activities
  • Stay motivated by using the Progress page to keep track of your step completion and assessment scores

Join a global classroom

  • Experience the power of social learning, and get inspired by an international network of learners
  • Share ideas with your peers and course educators on every step of the course
  • Join the conversation by reading, @ing, liking, bookmarking, and replying to comments from others

Map your progress

  • As you work through the course, use notifications and the Progress page to guide your learning
  • Whenever you’re ready, mark each step as complete, you’re in control
  • Complete 90% of course steps and all of the assessments to earn your certificate

Want to know more about learning on FutureLearn? Using FutureLearn

Learner reviews

Learner reviews cannot be loaded due to your cookie settings. Please and refresh the page to view this content.

Get a taste of this course

Find out what this course is like by previewing some of the course steps before you join:

Do you know someone who'd love this course? Tell them about it...