Aflac wellness survey shows ‘disturbing trend’

By Susan Rupe

Cancer treatment is becoming longer and more expensive, according to findings from Aflac.

Aflac’s claims data and findings from its 2024 Wellness Matters Survey uncovered a number of key trends surrounding the increase in cancer diagnoses across the U.S.

Cancer treatment costs can reach six figures: The average claim amount submitted by policyholders covered by Aflac cancer insurance is $20,000. One quarter of claims are $50,000 or more, and 9% exceed $100,000.

Cancer treatment is a yearslong journey: The average length of treatment for Aflac policyholders is 33 months.

Screenings are crucial to diagnosing cancer early: The most commonly diagnosed cancers among Aflac policyholders are breast and prostate cancer, followed by lung and colorectal cancers. These also are the most commonly screened-for cancers. According to the Wellness Matters Survey, 56% of U.S. adults diagnosed with cancer found out from a regularly scheduled cancer screening or routine exam. However, the survey also found that three in five Americans admit to avoiding an important health screening, up 20% from 2023.

Although cancer is skewing younger, most millennials take a reactive, rather than proactive, approach to their health: A majority (71%) of millennials admit to always or sometimes putting off getting a health checkup or screening beyond the recommended time frame, and two-thirds say they use urgent or emergency care as their primary source for health care.

Women are more protected and proactive: The Wellness Matters Survey found that women are less likely to put off an annual physical or recommended health screening.

Tom Morey, Aflac’s chief actuary, told InsuranceNewsNet the survey revealed “a disturbing trend with two prongs.

“One was the heightened diagnoses of certain cancers among younger people, and two was the reduced likelihood of getting screening among the same younger people.”

Morey said the rise in cancer among young adults and the hesitancy around screening in that same age group led Aflac officials to see whether they can influence their young clients to undergo cancer screening.

“A lot of it is helping people see the human side of what happens if you don't get screened,” he said. “Aflac is not there to pay for the direct medical cost of a cancer screening, which would be covered under an Affordable Care Act plan. But for example, if you get a colonoscopy, you need a ride home. For a lot of people, that means someone must take time off from work or pay for a ride from a ride share company. You might have to get a baby-sitter while you go get a mammogram. So we’re also looking for ways to remove the economic barriers among working people getting care.”

Morey said Aflac wants to help people “understand the human costs of not getting screened. We spent a lot of time in the last year telling stories about agents of ours who had been diagnosed with cancer, and how when they found out, and how early they found out mattered.”

People must be made aware of what Morey called “the total person aspect of health care.

“I think there is more awareness now about the holistic impact of health care, with wellness and with treatment. With employers, the tendency is to look through the lens of the health plan and what's covered and what's not. But I think getting people aware of the emotional impact is probably the next stage of evolution, as people have understood that, yes, there are medical costs, there are economic impacts, but also understanding the emotional impact that cancer has on individuals and families.”

Susan Rupe is managing editor for InsuranceNewsNet. She formerly served as communications director for an insurance agents' association and was an award-winning newspaper reporter and editor. Contact her at [email protected].