The high cost of cancer genetic testing is often cited as the main barrier to uptake. Our study exploring different subsidy schemes showed that a scheme based on clinical and financial needs increased access to testing for high-risk individuals. Identifying at-risk individuals for gene-enabled surveillance and management is shown to reduce total spending on cancer management. The cost-savings are increased if more at-risk family members can be successfully identified. Despite these subsidies, low rates of predictive testing in Singapore persist. Increased efforts are therefore urgently needed to understand systemic and psychosocial barriers to predictive testing amongst first-degree relatives in Asia. (By Ms. Jeanette Yuen, http://jmg.bmj.com/content/early/2016/10/25/jmedgenet-2016-104302 )
