Mandy Darbyshire is a Cancer Clinical Nurse Specialist, and formerly the Alliance's Regional Lynch Syndrome Nurse.
During the recent Genomics Conversation Week 2024, Mandy shared her genomic journey to date; how far we have come and what journey lies ahead.
A transcript of the interview is shown below, and you can listen to the audio file by clicking here.
What does genomics mean to you?
Genomics to me is encompassing the patient and tailoring their treatment to them. Looking specifically at their genetic make up and what makes them who they are and how we can look after them as an individual.
What does genomics mean to you, as someone who works within the NHS, as well as a potential service user?
Working within the NHS is a privilege. Looking at genetics within the NHS is looking at pinpointing care and designing or tailoring that care to that specific patient even more so than we do now. We always individualise care but that is usually based on a ‘collective’, we are now trying to design care based on that individuals DNA which is an amazing revolution.
Why did you get involved in genomics?
To start with I didn’t realise I was working in Genomics. I cared for cancer patients and didn’t understand that even 10 years ago we were looking at genetics and treatment based on patients’ genes. An opportunity came up to work in my cancer field to further revolutionise the way we diagnose and treat bowel and endometrial cancer and I haven’t looked back in the achievements we have made so far. Genomics has always been an interesting element of care but nothing I ever saw as ‘my specific role/job’ it was more I helped facilitate it with the Consultant.
What has been your genomic journey?
I have worked within Colorectal Cancer (CRC) as a Cancer Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS) for about 13 years. I was given an opportunity to work with the NWGMSA to help implement genetic testing for CRC patients and further enhance my knowledge and skills as a CNS. After beginning work with the North West Genomic Medicine Service Alliance (NWGMSA), it opened my eyes to the amazing and overwhelming amount of work already being done by teams in the world of Genomics. I was able to help implement mainstreaming genetic clinics for patients undergoing cancer treatment. This led me into helping develop a Family History and mainstreaming service within my Trust which has been supported by the Trust as well as greatly received by patients.
Do you have any lived experience of the benefits to patient care of genomics?
Clinically yes. I see how much a genomic diagnosis can provide knowledge and power to patients, providing them with an understanding of why they have developed a cancer, what the best treatment is for them and how to protect or care for their family as well. It’s a family diagnosis not just an individual.
What are you excited about in relation to the future of genomics, and your role within it?
The Genomic Revolution is here! We used to say that Genomics is the future but it’s the here and now. Its evolving rapidly not just in cancer care but throughout other specialities to enhance patients’ treatment and over all well-being and lifelong care. I am excited to be a part of it all.
What genomic project are you especially proud of? Why?
Lynch Syndrome Transformation Project. Being a part of the project and getting to work with such enthusiastic and brilliant professionals across the country has been a privilege. Being a part of such a transformation for cancer patients and genetic testing, going from a select few being tested to it being ‘business as usual’ in such a short space of time has been an overwhelming achievement. Genomics is not the future for patient care, it’s the here and now and we aren’t done yet!
To watch other Alliance team members' genomic journeys, please visit our YouTube channel.