Employees often missed by traditional cancer pathways are benefiting from a prevention-first, digitally enabled group risk model that is expanding cancer support across the workforce.
This is according to data from Legal & General (L&G), gathered with Perci Health, analysing six months of use of L&G’s Cancer Awareness and Nurse Support services delivered via the Spark app.
The findings indicate the approach is reaching younger workers outside national screening programmes, as well as people living with or beyond cancer who are not currently in treatment or making a claim.
L&G claims data shows the proportion of cases among those aged 25–50 has increased, while the share among those over 51 has fallen. Additionally, usage data also shows 6 per cent of users are under 25, while 11 per cent are living with or beyond cancer. Of this group, 35 per cent were diagnosed but never received active treatment.
L&G’s prevention-focused model aims to address gaps in awareness and access through risk assessments, screening guidance and one-to-one cancer nurse support delivered via Perci’s virtual cancer care platform, developed with leading oncologists and backed by Macmillan Cancer Support.
The data suggests that lack of awareness, rather than lack of motivation, remains a key barrier to early cancer diagnosis. Around 24 per cent of users were overdue for at least one NHS cancer screening, while 44 per cent of men aged 50+ did not know they could request a free PSA test from their GP.
Awareness of symptoms also remains low, with 90 per cent reporting limited knowledge of the key signs of skin cancer. However, 63 per cent said they would seek medical advice if they noticed a change in their skin, indicating that the main obstacle to early action is knowledge and confidence rather than willingness to act.
Perci Health co-founder and chief commercial officer Morgan Fitzsimons says: “Early detection is about much more than screening alone. To truly improve outcomes for working-age populations, we need models that combine risk insight, symptom awareness and specialist nurse guidance – delivered through an engaging digital experience that meets people where they are, rather than expecting them to fit their lives around healthcare.
“When support is accessible, personalised and easy to act on, people seek help sooner and that’s what ultimately drives better outcomes.”
L&G claims and clinical development director – group protection Vanessa Sallows says: “Considering four in ten cancer cases are preventable, the need to help improve risk awareness and health literacy seems paramount. Workplaces of all sizes are ideally placed to help; not least because employers remain ‘the most trusted institution’ year after year in Edelman’s Trust Barometer, well ahead of government or media.
“In other words, with our support, employers can help build health literacy, tackle misinformation and provide trusted education by raising awareness and helping remove the stigma associated with cancer. Such thinking aligns with the prevention-first goals of the Keep Britain Working report and the recently announced National Cancer Plan.
“Our proactive approach, in partnership with Perci Health, reflects a shift in risk insurance from reactive cover to earlier intervention, helping close gaps in access while supporting better outcomes for people and employers alike.”
