In 2017, over 3,000 cases of cervical cancer were reported. While it is easily detectable and treatable, and 99.8 per cent of cases are preventable with immunisation and cervical screening, advisers and critical illness policies have an important role to play in ensuring that women are covered in the eventuality that they are diagnosed with cervical cancer.
Since the late 1980s, cervical screenings have been available and serious strides have been made in the quality of screening procedures and expanding public awareness. When the NHS changed its screening method to check for the human papillomavirus (HPV) virus which causes over 99 per cent of cervical cancer cases, the number of prevented cases increased by 60-70 per cent and common vaccines offered by the NHS offer protection in 70 per cent of cervical cancer cases.
How do policies compare?
Today, critical illness policies will cover 100 per cent of claims for stages one to four of the disease, which is an achievement the industry can be proud of. Insurance providers use inclusive grouped cancer wording for their critical illness policies and coverage of cervical cancer spans all four stages.
However, there are some serious illness policies that do not offer coverage to the same extent and gaps in coverage for pre-cancerous conditions affecting the cervix.
Most cancers of the cervix are detected at stages one and two. Some insurers have a pay-out process for claims that increases with each stage, 25 per cent for stage one, 50 per cent for stage two and 100 per cent for stages three and four, leaving those in the early stages of cancer being detected short of sums paid out.
Pre-cancerous cells in the cervix which often require surgery will only lead to lesser payment of claims as well as benefits for these health outcomes being small unless it results in a hysterectomy in some extreme cases.
The industry could improve on this, as there is little doubt that people should feel fully covered in the eventuality, they develop a condition that can cause cancer, which they will very likely want to seek treatment for.
The importance of critical illness cover for cervical cancer
The industry will also continue to play an important role for women who cannot be helped by the vaccine, as those exposed to the HPV virus cannot benefit from the vaccine, as well as those who despite advances in screening and treatment are diagnosed with cervical cancer.
Despite the advances in medical treatment, prevention and the advent of vaccines that protect women born from 1991 onwards, those living born before that year present a cohort that is significantly more at risk form the disease. Vaccines are overwhelmingly but not entirely effective in prevention either. This means that screening, prevention and the need for critical illness policies still remain an important part of the conversation when discussing cervical cancer and raising awareness among women.
Critical illness cover remains an important product to protect consumers from the harshest events in life, including but not limited to cervical cancer.
Paying off a mortgage is one of the largest debts we take on. Having insurance or at least having the knowledge that one is covered in the eventuality can provide consumers with the certainty that even if they have cancer, some or all of their mortgage payments will be taken care of.
This can help to avoid the mental health issues associated with worrying over one’s health and finances when suffering from a disease as serious as cancer.
