Breast cancer accounted for 51 per cent of all claims, while skin and soft tissue cancer was the second most common cancer, accounting for 22 per cent of all claims, according to Vitality data.
Skin and soft tissue cancers were the most prevalent type of cancer among males under 55, accounting for 22 per cent, whereas prostate cancer was the most common type of cancer among men over 55, accounting for 27 per cent.
The data, which will be included in Vitality’s future Health Claims Insights Report, examines all cancer claims filed in 2021. This includes people who required surgery, chemotherapy, or radiotherapy, as well as biological and hormone therapies, bisphosphonate medications, or cutting-edge treatments such as stem cell therapy, which are all covered under Vitality’s Core Cover.
Members who tracked higher amounts of activity as part of the Vitality Programme within South Africa were found to have a 48 per cent better chance of surviving breast cancer in the following seven years after diagnosis and highly engaged members had 53 per cent 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 per cent.
Vitality Health managing director Dr Keith Klintworth says: “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.”
