Genetic testing subsidies for hereditary breast, ovarian cancer to start on Dec 1

From 1 December, eligible patients in Singapore will receive subsidies of up to 70 per cent for genetic tests linked to hereditary breast and ovarian cancer. The support is intended to make it easier for people with relevant cancer histories and their families to identify inherited risks and consider early monitoring or preventive care.

The test costs about S$1,000 before subsidies, and the Ministry of Health estimates around 2,000 people will benefit each year. Subsidies will be available at specialist outpatient clinics at three public hospitals and will also cover testing for first-degree relatives of people found to carry a cancer-linked mutation. About one in 150 Singaporeans carries such a mutation; women with one face five to 10 times the lifetime risk of these cancers.