Researchers have developed a method to assess the risk of breast or ovarian cancer through genetic checking that is 10 times cheaper than the current way, a Japanese scientific institute says.

The team, led by Itsuro Inoue, a professor at the National Institute of Genetics, said it has filed a patent for the new method, which could bring the cost, currently around ¥200,000 to ¥300,000 per person, down to about ¥20,000.

"If you have a family member or relative who had breast or ovarian cancer, the gene test can help you detect cancer early. Lower costs would allow more people to receive the test," Inoue said Saturday.