Aviva and Friends Life have released new critical illness claims statistics that reveal that £62.8m was paid out last year to critical illness customers with breast cancer.
Breast cancer is the single most common condition among critical illness claims, accounting for 22 per cent of all claims paid in 2014, according to Aviva and Friends Life, increasing to 44 per cent of all claims by females.
The data also showed that amongst claims for cancer, over three times as many claims are made for breast cancer (36 per cent) than the second most common cancer claimed for, gastrointestinal cancer at 11 per cent.
Among women, breast cancer accounted for 58 per cent of all cancer claims, with gynaecological cancer the second most common at 10 per cent.
During 2014, Aviva and Friends Life paid out more than £62.8m to critical illness customers with breast cancer, with an average payment of £72,500. This includes six cases of male breast cancer.
Payments were also made to critical illness customers with ductal carcinoma in situ of the breast, an early form of breast cancer. For this condition, claimants receive a lump sum of up to £25,000 while their policy continues and their sum assured remains unchanged.
The data also shows claims for breast cancer on Aviva’s critical illness policies have increased slightly over the last five years, rising from 21.9 per cent of all claims paid in 2010 to 22.8 per cent of all claims in 2014.
The average age of Aviva’s breast cancer claimants has risen over the last five years. In 2010 the average age of claimants was 43.9 years and in 2014 this had risen to 46.6 years of age.
Robert Morrison, chief protection underwriter for Aviva, said: “Unfortunately one in eight women in the UK will develop breast cancer in their lifetime and it is by far the most common cause of critical illness claims amongst our customers, accounting for well over two-fifths of claims last year.
“Receiving a critical illness payment can mean that people have choices they might not otherwise have, whether this means being able to take time off work to concentrate on treatment and their family, getting help around the house, or helping to pay off the mortgage to provide some financial security in the future.”
emma.hughes@ft.com
