ALLIANZ LIFE HIGHLIGHTS IMPORTANCE OF EARLY DETECTION AND PROTECTION AGAINST CANCER

KUALA LUMPUR, Feb 21 (Bernama) -- Allianz Life Insurance Malaysia Berhad (Allianz Life) advocates the importance of Early Detection, Early Intervention, and Early Treatment (3Es) to combat the growing cancer burden in Malaysia. 

Aligned with the National Strategic Plan for Cancer Control Programme 2021-2025, this holistic approach includes prevention, screening, diagnosis, and treatment to improve health outcomes.

Allianz Life Chief Operations Officer Tammy Lee in a statement today emphasised the critical role of financial protection alongside the 3Es. 

“A cancer diagnosis not only impacts your health but also your financial stability. Having a dedicated insurance plan tailored for critical illnesses like cancer ensures individuals and their families are financially prepared to face these challenges without compromising on the quality of care,” she said.

The statement said from 2020 to 2024, Allianz Life reported a 70.4 per cent increase in the number of approved cancer-related claims, including unique policies. The five most common cancers were breast, colon, lung, nasopharynx, and ovary.

It said the urgency for financial protection is further highlighted by data from the Department of Statistics Malaysia (DoSM), which revealed a sharp increase in cancer-related deaths, rising from 5,231 in 2001 to 16,545 in 2023. 

Among these, digestive organ cancers caused the highest number of fatalities (5,054), followed by respiratory and intrathoracic organ cancers (2,530) and breast cancer (1,681).

“In conjunction with the World Cancer Day, Allianz Life is raising awareness about the importance of financial preparedness in the fight against cancer. 

“With cancer cases on the rise in Malaysia, having a dedicated insurance plan for cancer and other critical illnesses has become increasingly vital to ensure financial security and peace of mind,” it said.

According to the statement, the cost of cancer treatment has risen significantly over the past decade, including expenses associated with diagnostic tests, hospital stays, chemotherapy, radiation, and surgery as well as indirect costs such as transportation, childcare, and lost income during recovery further compound the financial strain.

Therefore, Allianz Life encourages individuals to assess their current health coverage and consider supplemental critical illness plans to address these challenges. 

“These plans offer financial security-coverage for medical expenses, including hospital stays, treatments, medications, and post-treatment care; as well as income protection-lump-sum payouts to cover non-medical expenses or income loss during recovery.

“It also offers peace of mind - reduced financial stress, allowing individuals to focus on recovery,” it said.

Allianz Life provides robust protection against critical illnesses, including cancer, through products such as Prime Care+ with Cancer Recovery Benefit and the HealthCover Plus rider plan for advanced-stage coverage.

For more information on Allianz Life’s critical illness plans, visit www.allianz.com.my or speak to an authorised agent today.

-- BERNAMA