As South Africa adapts to level one of the lock-down restrictions, insurer Liberty is urging women to check-in on their health amid a rise in breast cancer cases worldwide.
The rapid onset of the COIVD-19 pandemic earlier this year focused people's health priorities away from more routine medical matters.
This was highlighted by research house, Flux Trends, whose findings indicated there had been many deferred surgeries, postponed medical check-ups and even undiagnosed illnesses during the lockdown period.
Early detection is key to surviving many cancers, and breast cancer is one of the most common cancers to be diagnosed in South African women. It also has a high survival rate if caught early. In fact, the five-year survival rate for stage 1 and 2 is on average above 80%.
"Breast cancer doesn't always present itself as a lump, so it’s a good idea to have a mammogram done. if you notice any changes to your breasts such as a lump, skin or nipple changes or discharge, whether it is painful or not, you should see your doctor immediately," says Dr Dominique Stott, Liberty's Chief Medical Officer.
The cost of breast cancer
There is no denying the costs associated with this life changing diagnosis. According to Liberty's 2019 claim statistics, 36% of claims from women were for cancer.
"The vast majority of breast cancer claims we have seen at Liberty are for stage one, for which we pay all valid claims. Even stage one treatment can be expensive, not just medically, but also on your ability to manage your everyday life."
It's the changes to your lifestyle in the case of a diagnosis and subsequent treatment that many people don't usually factor in, and medical aid might not cover.
The nature of treatments like chemotherapy, radiation and surgery can mean an extensive period of recuperation, which could mean you're not working during this time. This can mean a loss of income, adding anxiety and stress on top of having to cope with a potentially life-threatening illness.
Stott encourages women to take out long-term insurance, including critical illness and disability cover, early on in their lives, before they potentially develop a critical illness like breast cancer. It may be expensive or impossible to get insurance once you have developed a health impairment.
"The aftermath of cancer treatment can be expensive, like having cosmetic surgery for example, or lifestyle changes such as not being able to take kids to school. Things you would normally do but can't. So it's worth considering having a Lifestyle Protector policy which can help pay expenses outside of what a medical aid would cover," Dr Stott says.
"People think insurance is very expensive, it's not really in the long-term, given the costs involved if you encounter a situation where you may have to make necessary changes to your lifestyle," she says.
Living longer and understanding family history
The upside is that early detection usually leads to more successful treatment.
Research shows that 95% of women with stage one breast cancer are cancer free five years later. This highlights the importance of health check-ups and vigilance no matter your age – particularly in going for regular mammograms as indicated by your doctor.
This is important if you come from a high-risk cancer family. "If members of your family have had a breast or ovarian cancer diagnosis, then your risk could be higher," Dr Stott advises.
Other risk factors include obesity post-menopause, having a child later in life, or no children at all, dense breast tissue, alcohol consumption, inactivity and some forms of HRT.
"Given that the lifetime risk of breast cancer in South Africa (according to CANSA) is 1 in 25 women, it is essential all women are prepared for it," she says.
*Liberty
Featured Advertiser: High Resolution Ad at this link
