Although cascade testing can be a reliable gauge of whether close relatives of individuals with cancer also carry genetic muta­ tions associated with the disease, experts have identified several bar­ riers that prevent this strategy from being widely used. Potential hurdles include availability, the unwillingness of private insurance companies and Medicare to cover genetic testing for cancer­free individuals, and a patient’s own hesitancy to share a frightening diagnosis with relatives. An even big­ ger obstacle may be confidentiality: Many states have laws that prevent a patient’s physician or genetic coun­ selor from alerting family members.

中文翻译：

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低成本在线级联测试可能会说服亲属调查自己的癌症风险

尽管级联检测可以可靠地衡量癌症患者的近亲是否也携带与该疾病相关的基因突变，但专家们已经确定了阻止这种策略被广泛使用的几个障碍。潜在的障碍包括可用性、私人保险公司和医疗保险不愿意为无癌症个体进行基因检测，以及患者自己不愿与亲属分享可怕的诊断结果。更大的障碍可能是保密：许多州都有法律禁止患者的医生或遗传顾问提醒家人。