Many employers and health plans are struggling with cancer-related costs. Cancer is the leading driver of healthcare costs, with the cost of cancer care in the United States expected to exceed $245 billion by 2030. [1].

Leveraging sustainable solutions designed to help detect cancer early is crucial to mitigating this trend and dramatically reducing costs. Treating cancer at stage 1 is not only more effective, but significantly less expensive than the intensive, high-cost care required at stage 4. One study estimates the national cost savings from early diagnosis in the United States at $26 billion per year [2].

Genetic testing plays an important role in early cancer detection. It identifies inherited mutations that increase cancer risk and enables tailored screening and prevention strategies. Our genetic testing solution, myGeneticScreen, makes this process simple and accessible.

myGeneticScreen analyzes risk for three hereditary conditions:

  • Hereditary breast and ovarian cancer syndrome
  • Lynch syndrome
  • Familial Hypercholesterolemia

Two of those conditions - hereditary breast and ovarian cancer syndrome and lynch syndrome - directly address cancer risk. Continue reading to learn how myGeneticScreen supports early cancer detection through population testing and a comprehensive solution, helping health plans and employers improve outcomes and potentially lower long-term healthcare costs.

Facilitating the early detection of cancer with population testing

Genetic testing is often based on family history. However, testing based on family history can fail to identify many carriers of pathogenic variants. Population-based genetic testing allows for the proactive identification of high-risk individuals and enables early intervention. By leveraging population testing, myGeneticScreen makes it easy to analyze risk for hereditary breast and ovarian cancer syndrome and Lynch syndrome.

Hereditary breast and ovarian cancer syndrome is caused by mutations in the BRCA1 or BRCA2 genes or related genes. According to a recent study on the cost-effectiveness of population-based multigene testing for breast and ovarian cancer prevention, population-based testing was a more cost-effective strategy than the current family history–based testing strategy at the $100,000 per quality-adjusted life year (QALY) willingness-to-pay threshold [3].

Additionally, genetic testing for Lynch syndrome can be a cost-effective solution to lowering colorectal cancer costs. Lynch syndrome can significantly increase the risk of developing colorectal cancer, which is one of the most costly cancers to treat. In 2020, colorectal cancer cases generated $24.3 billion in medical spending, accounting for 11.6% of all cancer treatment costs [4]. Research has shown that population-wide genomic testing for Lynch syndrome in younger adults may result in fewer colorectal cancer cases and increased QALYs at a reasonable incremental cost. For example, a study screening unselected 30-year-olds for Lynch syndrome variants resulted in 48 fewer overall CRC cases per 100,000 screened individuals and 187 QALYs gained, with an incremental cost of $24.6 million [5].

Provide comprehensive care with myGeneticScreen

myGeneticScreen goes beyond traditional genetic testing by providing your population support through the entire testing process. Our patient-friendly test, platform, and experience offer actionable results, including pre- and post-test genetic counseling for patients to expand the reach of prevention efforts further and lead to significant economic savings. Genetics experts support individuals throughout their journey, providing 1-on-1 counseling. Pre-test counseling involves educating individuals and answering questions, while post-test counseling focuses on interpreting results and helping individuals make informed decisions on next steps.

myGeneticScreen offers solutions to the cancer-related costs that health plans and employers are struggling with. By identifying risk early, leveraging population testing, and providing comprehensive support that guides participants through the testing process, myGeneticScreen can help health plans and employers see a reduction in long-term costs. If you are ready to utilize the power of genomics to help address the rising costs of cancer care, get in touch with our team today.

References

  1. https://www.aacr.org/patients-caregivers/progress-against-cancer/the-rising-cost-of-cancer-care/
  2. https://www.ajmc.com/view/screening-for-cancer-the-economic-medical-and-psychosocial-issues
  3. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38353949/
  4. https://www.cdc.gov/nccdphp/priorities/colorectal-cancer.html
  5. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35227606/