The level of a cancer sufferer’s physical activity can have a direct, positive impact on their survival chances, according to data from Vitality.
The insurer’s South African parent company Discovery analysed 88,000 members from 2013 to 2019 and found those who were more physically active in the year preceding their diagnosis had a higher likelihood of cancer survival.
Vitality programme members in South Africa who achieved more than 12 active days a month on average in the year prior to diagnosis, were found to have a 48% better chance of surviving breast cancer in the following seven years after diagnosis.
And highly engaged male members had 53% better odds of surviving prostate cancer in the following seven years after diagnosis.
Common cancers
The insight was revealed alongside Vitality’s cancer claims data for 2021.
The data showed that breast cancer was the most common form of cancer for women across all age groups accounting for 51% of all claims, while the second most common cancer was skin and soft tissue, accounting for 22% of all claims.
For men, skin and soft tissue cancers was the most common form of cancer for men under 55 (22%), while prostate cancer was the most common form of cancer claimed for in men over 55 (27%).
Dr Keith Klintworth, managing director at VitalityHealth, said: “Receiving a cancer diagnosis can be absolutely devastating, but having the right kind of treatment and care in place can be invaluable.
“Clinical treatment is only one part of the puzzle though, and it is important to take a holistic view following any diagnosis, to ensure the person has the right physical and mental health support for them.
“The data we are releasing today highlights how important leading an active life is for people with, or that have had, cancer.
“Making these lifestyle changes can be difficult though and having access to incentives and rewards that support long term behaviour change, such as the Vitality Programme, really does have the potential to be life changing.”