Subsidised genetic testing for hereditary breast, ovarian cancer starts Dec 1
People at risk of hereditary breast and ovarian cancer can access genetic testing at three public healthcare clusters starting December 1, 2026. The Ministry of Health announced this initiative following a debate in the Committee of Supply in March. This program is part of a larger strategy to improve preventive care in Singapore. Minister for Health Ong Ye Kung stated that about one in 150 people in the country carry a gene mutation linked to these cancers. Such mutations may increase a woman's risk of developing the diseases.
From December 1, 2026, individuals who are at risk of hereditary breast and ovarian cancer (HBOC) will be able to undergo genetic testing at three public healthcare clusters.This was announced by the Ministry of Health (MOH) in a news release on Thursday (Oct 5), following up on the ministry's Committee of Supply debate earlier in March."(Subsidised genetic testing for HBOC) is part of the Ministry of Health (MOH)’s broader strategy to enhance preventive care in Singapore," the ministry said.During the debate, Minister for Health Ong Ye Kung said that an estimated one in 150 people in Singapore carry a gene mutation associated with HBOC, which may increase a woman's risk of developing the cancers.He added that about 2,000 people are expected to be eligible for the subsidised HBOC genetic testing.Up to 70 per cent of the costs will be subsidised through a means-testing process, and the remaining can also be offset using MediSave.