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The Importance of Affordable Genetic Testing for Cancer

Genetic testing has become an essential part of cancer diagnosis and treatment. It provides valuable information about a person's risk of developing specific cancer types and identifies potential treatments. However, the high cost of genetic testing can be an impediment for many at-risk individuals. This article will discuss the significance of affordable genetic testing for cancer, as well as efforts to make genetic testing more accessible and affordable.


The Cost Of Genetic Testing


The cost of genetic testing for cancer can be a significant burden for individuals seeking to learn their risk for developing certain cancers. The average cost of a genetic test for cancer ranges from $300 to $5,0001, with some tests costing even more2. While some health insurance plans can cover the costs for genetic testing1,2, at-risk individuals may require copayments or coinsurance that merit more out-of-pocket expenses2. This is especially true if one wishes to purchase direct-to-consumer testing which most health insurance plans don’t cover3,4.


Why Is Genetic Testing For Cancer Expensive?


The cost of genetic testing for cancer can be attributed to several factors. These factors include:

  • Technology. One reason why genetic testing for cancer can be expensive is that the technology and equipment required to perform such tests can be costly5.

  • Laboratory procedures. Genetic testing necessitates the execution of complex laboratory procedures by top-tier technicians and scientists, which adds to the cost6.

  • Quality control and assurance. The requirement for quality control and assurance contributes to the cost of cancer genetic testing5. Even minor errors or inaccuracies can have serious consequences for at-risk individuals and their families, making accuracy and precision essential for genetic testing. Stringent quality control measures are required to ensure that the results of genetic testing are reliable and actionable, which can raise the price of the tests.

  • Interpretation and counseling. There may be costs associated with the interpretation and counseling that follows genetic testing4. Genetic counselors and healthcare providers are frequently involved in the interpretation of test results and the provision of guidance to at-risk individuals and their families regarding the implications of the results and possible next steps. These services may also increase the total price of genetic testing for cancer.

The cost of genetic testing for cancer may be prohibitive for some individuals and families. However, it offers significant benefits in providing essential information for personalized treatment and identifying hereditary cancer risks. This can inform screening and prevention efforts for at-risk individuals and their families. As technology advances and becomes more widely available, the cost of genetic testing for cancer should become more affordable and accessible to those who require it the most.


The Importance Of Affordable Genetic Testing


At-risk individuals must have access to affordable genetic testing in order to determine their risk for developing certain cancer types and potential treatment options7. For instance, genetic testing can detect mutations in cancer-causing genes such as BRCA1 and BRCA2, which increase the risk of breast and ovarian cancer8. Armed with this knowledge, at-risk individuals can make informed decisions regarding their treatment options, including preventative measures like lifestyle changes or chemoprevention9.


In addition to providing valuable information for individual at-risk individuals, affordable genetic testing can benefit the entire population by facilitating research into the causes of cancer and the creation of new treatments10. Large-scale genetic testing can provide researchers with a wealth of information, enabling them to identify new genes and pathways involved in the development of cancer and develop targeted treatments.


Efforts To Increase Access To Affordable Genetic Testing


Although genetic testing is costly, efforts are underway to make it more accessible and affordable for at-risk individuals. The development of new technologies and platforms that allow for more efficient and cost-effective genetic testing is one such effort. For example, next-generation sequencing (NGS) technologies can conduct multiple genetic tests simultaneously, reducing testing costs and duration11. In addition, cloud-based computing platforms can facilitate data analysis and interpretation, further reducing genetic testing costs and time requirements12.


Utilizing telemedicine is another method for expanding affordable genetic testing access13. Telemedicine allows at-risk individuals to access genetic testing services remotely, eliminating the need for expensive and time-consuming in-person consultations. This strategy can be especially useful for at-risk individuals with limited mobility or who reside in remote areas.


More importantly, increased government funding for research and development can aid in the development of genetic testing. Increased funding can support the creation of new technologies and platforms, as well as investigations into the clinical utility and efficacy of these diagnostic tests. In addition, increased funding can support efforts to expand insurance coverage for genetic testing, thereby making these tests more affordable for at-risk individuals who are unable to pay for them6.


Final Thoughts


In summary, genetic testing at a reasonable cost is crucial for at-risk individuals because it provides valuable information about their risk for developing certain types of cancer and identifies potential treatment options. Efforts are underway to make genetic testing more accessible and affordable, including the development of new technologies and platforms, the use of telemedicine, and an increase in government funding for research. These efforts are essential for ensuring that all at-risk individuals have access to the necessary information to make informed treatment decisions.


HelenHealth Is Here To Help!


HelenHealth provides a number of methods for members of the community to get started on cancer detection and prevention. Our group of fitness specialists, nutritionists, and genetic counselors can help you determine your cancer risk and ultimately avoid it. Please feel free to contact me at samantha@helenhealth.ai if you have any questions about how to become part of our community today.


Stay Healthy,


Samantha Ackary

Partnerships and Public Relations Head

HelenHealth






References

  1. Sheng J. Genetic Testing. www.breastcancer.org. 2023. Available from: https://www.breastcancer.org/genetic-testing

  2. McDowell S. Cancer Patients May Not Be Told About Costs of Genomic Testing . www.cancer.org. 2019. Available from: https://www.cancer.org/latest-news/cancer-patients-may-not-be-told-about-costs-of-genomic-testing.html

  3. Will health insurance cover the costs of genetic testing?: MedlinePlus Genetics . medlineplus.gov. Available from: https://medlineplus.gov/genetics/understanding/testing/insurancecoverage/

  4. How much does direct-to-consumer genetic testing cost, and is it covered by health insurance?: MedlinePlus Genetics. medlineplus.gov. [cited 2023 Apr 5]. Available from: https://medlineplus.gov/genetics/understanding/dtcgenetictesting/dtccost/#:~:text=The%20cost%20depends%20on%20how

  5. Muigai AWT. Expanding global access to genetic therapies. Nature Biotechnology . 2022 Jan 1;40(1):20–1. Available from: https://www.nature.com/articles/s41587-021-01191-0

  6. Risks I of M (US) C on AG, Andrews LB, Fullarton JE, Holtzman NA, Motulsky AG. Financing of Genetic Testing and Screening Services. www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov. National Academies Press (US); 1994. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK236036/

  7. WHO. Cancer - Screening and early detection. www.who.int. 2010. Available from: https://www.who.int/europe/news-room/fact-sheets/item/cancer-screening-and-early-detection-of-cancer

  8. National Cancer Institute. BRCA Mutations: Cancer Risk and Genetic Testing Fact Sheet. National Cancer Institute. Cancer.gov; 2018. Available from: https://www.cancer.gov/about-cancer/causes-prevention/genetics/brca-fact-sheet#what-are-brca1-and-brca2

  9. National Cancer Institute. Cancer Prevention Overview. National Cancer Institute. Cancer.gov; 2019. Available from: https://www.cancer.gov/about-cancer/causes-prevention/patient-prevention-overview-pdq

  10. Asbury K, McBride T, Bawn R. Can genomic research make a useful contribution to social policy? Royal Society Open Science. 2022 Nov;9(11). https://royalsocietypublishing.org/doi/10.1098/rsos.220873

  11. Karamperis K, Wadge S, Koromina M, Patrinos GP. Chapter 10 - Genetic Testing . Patrinos GP, editor. ScienceDirect. Academic Press; 2020. p. 189–207. Available from: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/B9780128136959000108

  12. Navale V, Bourne PE. Cloud computing applications for biomedical science: A perspective. Ouellette F, editor. PLOS Computational Biology]. 2018 Jun 14;14(6):e1006144. Available from: https://journals.plos.org/ploscompbiol/article?id=10.1371/journal.pcbi.1006144

  13. Haleem A, Javaid M, Singh RP, Suman R. Telemedicine for healthcare: Capabilities, features, barriers, and applications. Sensors International . 2021;2(2):100117. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8590973/