Table 7.
Demographic characteristics of index patients who declined BRCA1/2 testing despite test cost subsidies and reasons for declining (n = 39)
age | |
---|---|
median (range) | 36 (23-77) |
married | 80% |
educational level | |
≤6 years formal education | 20% |
6-10 years formal education | 23% |
>10 years formal education/diploma | 30% |
university/post-graduate degree | 27% |
reasons for declining genetic testinga | |
siblings/family members not keen | 41% |
doing this test would not prevent recurrence/change anything much | 39% |
fear of negative feelings associated with knowing genetic test results | 31% |
worried about feelings of family | 13% |
worried about insurance/employability | 10% |
50% subsidy for predictive testing is still a barrierb | 8% |
sceptical about modern medicine such as genetic testing | 3% |
apatients were allowed to indicate more than one reason for declining test; bcost of single site mutation analysis in predictive testing is S$595 (US$350) and the Singapore government provides 50% reimbursement