Benenden Health’s partnership with Reframe Cancer sees 875,000 of its members gain access to Reframe Cancer’s CQC-regulated cancer services.
The service went live last July, and according to data taken from the first nine months of the partnership, breast cancer (35%) and prostate cancer (20%) are the two highest cancers where members sought help with diagnosis and support, followed by lung cancer (8.5%) and myeloma (5%).
The data also shows that 11% of users are aged 40-49, with 19% aged 50–59 and 30% aged 60-69, while around 61% are under 60, with 20% aged 70-79 and 18% aged 80-89.
Most enrol at the treatment (45%) and diagnosis stage (35%), whilst 12% enrol at the post treatment and living with cancer stage. Just 6% enrol at the pre-diagnosis stage and 1% at post GP referral.
The majority, 61%, enrolled through the portal, 39% enrolled via telephone. Meanwhile, 66% of users were female compared to 34% who were male.
The data also provides regional use insight, with 23% of users being from London, 14% from Kent and 13% from Belfast.
Benenden Health’s members have access to Reframe Cancer’s wide variety of services that meet the individual needs of cancer patients and their loved ones. This includes comprehensive clinical advice and navigation, expert advice and advocacy, practical support and extensive online resources: Access to a wide range of informative materials on cancer awareness and preventative measures
Reframe Cancer CEO Mark Stephenson says: “When we started our partnership with Benenden Health, our joint aim was to make affordable, clinically regulated cancer care accessible to as many people as possible. The data shows we have done just that. Younger and older members are using the service, and we are helping with clinical guidance and navigation across an array of cancers from breast cancer through to myeloma. Cancer doesn’t discriminate and one in two adults in the UK will get cancer during their lifetime.
“There is an increasing need to help provide patients with an affordable cancer care and navigation solution. This is especially true in light of the recent delivery of the NHS National Cancer Plan, which has some bold targets and aspirations around diagnosis and improving treatment times. Whilst we hope these are met, it will take several more years to reach them, so workable, cost-effective solutions that can be accessed easily by people of any age, whether they have access to digital resources or not, must be available to ensure everyone can access the best cancer care possible.”
Benenden Health nurse consultant Dr Cheryl Lythgoe says: “As clinicians, we see every day how overwhelming a cancer diagnosis can be, not only for the individual but for their families too. The early data shows that our members are actively seeking trusted, clinically regulated guidance at the moments they need it most, particularly around breast and prostate cancer. Having Reframe Cancer’s CQC‑regulated nurse specialists available means our 875,000 members can access clear, compassionate support throughout diagnosis and treatment, regardless of their age or confidence with digital services.
“This partnership ensures that no one has to navigate the complexity of cancer care alone, and as national cancer services work towards ambitious targets, the strong engagement we’re seeing highlights just how vital accessible, personalised cancer support is.”
