Vitality releases health insurance cancer claims data for 2021
- Breast cancer was the most common form of cancer in women (51%)
- Prostate cancer was the most common form of cancer in men (27%)
- Keeping active proven to improve the likelihood of surviving a cancer claim
The data, which forms part of Vitality’s upcoming Health Claims Insights Report, looks at all claims for cancer made in 2021. This includes those who needed surgery, chemotherapy, and radiotherapy, biological and hormone therapies, bisphosphonate treatments or recent cutting-edge treatments, including stem cell therapy, all of which are included as part of Vitality’s Core Cover*.
The data also reveals, for the first time, how a person's level of physical activity correlates to their survival after a cancer diagnosis. Looking at data from within Vitality’s parent company, Discovery in South Africa, they found that members who were more physically active in the year preceding their diagnosis had a higher likelihood of cancer survival. Members who tracked higher amounts of activity as part of the Vitality Programme** within South Africa were found to have a 48% better chance of surviving breast cancer in the following seven years after diagnosis and highly engaged members had 53% better odds of surviving prostate cancer in the following seven years after diagnosis***.
Data from the UK additionally found that engagement with the Vitality Programme in the country reduced the cost of cancer care by up to 37%****.
Dr Keith Klintworth, VitalityHealth Managing Director, said: “Receiving a cancer diagnosis can be absolutely devastating, but having the right kind of treatment and care in place can be invaluable. Clinical treatment is only one part of the puzzle though, and it is important to take a holistic view following any diagnosis, to ensure the person has the right physical and mental health support for them.
“The data we are releasing today highlights how important leading an active life is for people with, or that have had, cancer. Making these lifestyle changes can be difficult though and having access to incentives and rewards that support long term behaviour change, such as the Vitality Programme, really does have the potential to be life changing.”
Vitality members going through cancer treatment receive one-to-one support from Vitality’s specialised care team and have access to a wide range of treatment options and services. Vitality additionally offers services such as chemotherapy at home from a specialist team of clinically-trained, patient-centred professionals and Care Consultants.
Vitality is releasing this data as part of its first VitalityHealth Claims and Insights Report. The full report will be published following its VitalityHealth Business Update on 8 June. Advisers can register their attendance at the event and find out more about Vitality’s latest product offering by visiting: https://adviser.vitality.co.uk/health-insurance/.
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Notes to editors
*Advanced Cancer Cover included as part of Core Cover for Individual and SME plan holders. Corporate schemes have the option to select Advanced Cancer Cover or Core Cancer Cover.
**Those who achieved over 12 active days a month, on average, in the year prior to diagnosis of cancer
***Data from 88,000 members analysed from 2013 to 2019
**** Data from VitalityHealth In-Hospital and day cases from 2017 to 2021