Australians at risk of bowel cancer are putting off genetic testing to avoid being denied life insurance, according to a new academic study.

The survey of families at risk of getting the disease has found the number of people who declined testing rose from 20% to 50% when they were told about the insurance implications.

Co-lead author Louise Keogh, of Melbourne University’s Key Centre for Women’s Health in Society, says people’s fear of insurance discrimination is affecting their chance of having life-saving genetic testing.

“We call on the Federal Government and the Australian insurance industry to reconsider the use of genetic information where genetic testing has the potential to reduce morbidity and mortality,” Dr Keogh said.

Co-lead author Christine van Vliet, from the University of NSW’s School of Medical Sciences, says while genetic information has no implications for health insurance, it can affect life, trauma, disability, and sickness and accident insurance policies.

“Since we know all people have some genes which predispose to disease, it is important that the Australian life insurance industry does not deter people from learning about their genetic risks,” she said.