Cancer has accounted for 50% of all male critical illness (CI) claims with a quarter of those claims for prostate cancer this year, Aegon's claim statistics have revealed.
In support of the Movember men's health campaign this month, Aegon UK has shared previously unpublished figures on male cancer claims in 2014.
Aegon's claims experience also shows a significant increase in critical illness claims for both prostate cancer (7 %) and testicular cancer (6 %) in the last year which Aegon has suggested could be down to the work of campaigns such as Movember in raising awareness of key men's health issues.
Dougy Grant, protection director at Aegon UK (pictured), along with 19 of his colleagues raised around £11,000 last year as part of the Movember campaign.
He said:"To some it might just be a month for dodgy facial hair or an excuse not to shave for a month but the impact is clear. The increase in national awareness generated by campaigns such as Movember is contributing to men taking an interest in their health and catching serious health concerns early enough to be able to treat them. We have definitely seen this trend reflected in our critical illness claims in the last two years and hope that the Movember initiative among others continues to have this influence on improving men's health and well-being."
Aegon has also promoted men's health issues through its Helping you understand campaign which includes factsheets to help both customers and advisers understand more about prostate and testicular cancer, highlighting the specific underwriting considerations for these illnesses.
The Office for National Statistics (ONS) recently reported that cancer survival rates had increased with 80 % of those with breast, prostate and skin cancer living for five years after diagnosis, 90 % for those with testicular cancer.
Grant continued: "In 2011 we enhanced our CI proposition for early stage prostate cancer. Early detection and better treatment means that survival rates after a diagnosis of cancer are improving. This is clearly reflected in the claims for prostate and testicular cancer and creates a stronger case around the importance of critical illness cover."
