Rising cancer and heart disease cases drive R6. 62 Billion payout by one of South Africa's largest insurers
Image: Freepik
Cancer, heart disease, and other lifestyle-related conditions contributed to a significant increase in insurance claims in 2024, with Sanlam Risk and Savings paying out R6.62 billion up 9.24% from the previous year.
According to the company, the latest data 'point to shifting health challenges facing South Africans today – evidenced by increases in claims for illnesses like heart disease, certain cancers and musculoskeletal disorders, and mental health concerns.'
Key 2024 claims statistics R5.47 billion in death and funeral claims
R501.6 million in disability, loss of income, and impairment claims
R650.3 million in severe illness and injury claims
Over the past six years, Sanlam has paid out more than R36 billion in claims, with 2024 ranking among the highest annual totals second only to the Covid-19 peak in 2021.
Cancer accounted for 54% of all severe illness claims, with the number of cancer-related claims rising 30% year-on-year. Prostate cancer claims in men doubled Breast cancer claims in women rose 33%
Cardiovascular conditions made up 20% of death claims and 17% of disability claims.
Sanlam paid out more than 99% of all death claims in 2024, with the highest single claim reaching R36.2 million
Dr Marion Morkel, Sanlam's Chief Medical Officer, pointed out that lifestyle diseases are becoming a major driver of claims.
'The World Health Organisation recommends that annual health screenings and checks start in our 30s and we urge South Africans to prioritise these as part of their yearly routine," she said.
'Cancer claims under the severe Illness category rose by 30% year-on-year – prostate claims doubled in men and breast cancer claims rose 33% in women. These increases, while concerning, are partly the result of the knock-on effect of the Covid-19 pandemic with proactive screenings having been delayed for several years.'
Video Player is loading.
Play Video
Play
Unmute
Current Time
0:00
/
Duration
-:-
Loaded :
0%
Stream Type LIVE
Seek to live, currently behind live
LIVE
Remaining Time
-
0:00
This is a modal window.
Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window.
Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan
Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan
Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan
Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque
Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps
Reset
restore all settings to the default values Done
Close Modal Dialog
End of dialog window.
Advertisement
Video Player is loading.
Play Video
Play
Unmute
Current Time
0:00
/
Duration
-:-
Loaded :
0%
Stream Type LIVE
Seek to live, currently behind live
LIVE
Remaining Time
-
0:00
This is a modal window.
Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window.
Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan
Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan
Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan
Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque
Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps
Reset
restore all settings to the default values Done
Close Modal Dialog
End of dialog window.
Next
Stay
Close ✕
The data also showed a rise in stroke and musculoskeletal disorders among women, including women in the younger age groups (pre-50).
Rhoderic Nel, Sanlam Risk and Savings Chief Executive said currently about 24% of all living benefit claims are from clients younger than 35 years old, with increases being seen in income protection claims.
'Currently about 24% of all living benefit claims are from clients younger than 35 years old, with increases being seen in income protection claims (up from 15% in 2022 to around 25% in 2024). It's a sobering reminder that life-changing illness can strike at any age. Being financially prepared isn't something to delay – it's something to start now.'
mthobisi.nozulela@iol.co.za
IOL Business Get your news on the go, click here to join the IOL News WhatsApp channel
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
IOL News
4 hours ago
- IOL News
Celebrating Mandela Day: 39 women receive life-saving surgeries through Project Flamingo
Project Flamingo's team came together to perform lifesaving surgeries for women battling breast cancer on Mandela Day. Image: Armand Hough/Independent Newspapers Thirty-nine women underwent lifesaving surgeries thanks to Project Flamingo for Mandela Day. Project Flamingo is a South African non-profit organisation that supports women battling breast cancer in the public healthcare sector. Project Flamingo CEO and founder, Dr Liana Roodt, said Mandela Day 2025 was a record-breaking year for them from a surgical standpoint. 'The most surgeries that we've done on Mandela Day previously were 35 surgeries. So this year we managed to do 39. We aimed to do 40, but unfortunately, one patient had to be postponed for medical reasons,' Roodt said. Surgeries were performed at Groote Schuur Hospital, Tygerberg Hospital, George Regional Hospital, Livingstone Hospital, and Cecilia Makiwane Hospital in the Western Cape and Eastern Cape on Saturday. Roodt said that this Mandela Day, they wanted to push themselves once again to do as much as they could in honour of Nelson Mandela, a great man, and they did that. A Record-Breaking Day: 39 women receive essential surgeries, showcasing the power of community and commitment to healthcare. Image: Armand Hough/Independent Newspapers 'We didn't make our 40 surgeries, but we came pretty close… but I think we've accomplished everything that we set out to accomplish and more,' Roodt said. What also made it special was launching the Make Room for Her campaign, to educate people about what else needs to be done in the system besides pushing for more timely surgeries for their breast cancer patients, Roodt explained. There is a need to create space for her in budgets, the theatre, and the clinic. Furthermore, this inclusion should extend to conversations, policy, and various other areas. Roodt said Project Flamingo aims to expedite and dignify patient treatment by intervening at each stage of the pathway. 'This year was a testament again to what happens if ordinary South Africans decide they want to come together and they want to do something, because to pull all that number of big surgeries takes tremendous team effort and an incredible commitment from so many people, and to see people once again just coming together,' Roodt said. She said that at Groote Schuur Hospital, two patients received mastectomies with reconstruction. Roodt said the female surgical ward at Livingstone Hospital was in a dire state. There were no curtains around the bed, no bed linen, and the ward looked quite sad and neglected. 'Our volunteer team went in there this week and made the ward beautiful. Curtains were hung, bed linen was provided, basins were replaced, mirrors were put up, and it looks like a beautiful, healing and dignified space,' Roodt said. 'That is something that we haven't done before, and it's unique, and I think we're very proud of it.' Project Flamingo pushes boundaries to provide timely and compassionate care for breast cancer patients. Image: Armand Hough/Independent Newspapers Breast cancer survivor and Project Flamingo volunteer Megan Jacobs discovered a lump in her right breast in September 2023. She consulted her GP and went for a mammogram and ultrasound. In October 2023, she underwent her first biopsy. In November 2023, at 34, she was diagnosed with triple-negative breast cancer. 'It was one of the hardest moments of my life. Although breast cancer runs in my family, it was a shock because I was young. I thought I was living a healthy lifestyle,' Jacobs said. She said she leaned on God and had support from her family and fiancée. Jacobs underwent eight rounds of chemotherapy and decided to have a bilateral mastectomy, but her surgery was a bilateral nipple-sparing mastectomy. 'Through my journey, every follow-up or everything that I do, just waking up every day, is just a reminder of how far I've come and that I have been given a second chance. Last Mandela Day, Jacobs had the first surgery of the day. On Mandela Day, the Project Flamingo team united to perform life-saving surgeries for women fighting breast cancer. Image: Armand Hough/Independent Newspapers 'Project Flamingo gave me hope when I needed it the most. They have held me during the most vulnerable time in my life. They also made it possible for me to have a life-changing surgery,' Jacobs said. She said volunteering was like a full circle moment because she could give back and honour the gift she was given. 'I went to see the patients on Friday, and then I was also at the surgeries yesterday (Saturday),' Jacobs said. 'Chatting to these patients, I could see myself in them. Sharing my story just gave them peace and hope. 'I feel like I now have some form of purpose, and I'm just so privileged and so honoured to be a part of an organisation that does life-altering surgeries, and you know that helps women in need,' Jacobs said. [email protected]
The Citizen
17 hours ago
- The Citizen
Health expert warns of increasing chronic illnesses among young adults
The global observance of World Chronic Disease Day on July 10th raises awareness about the impact of chronic diseases such as diabetes, heart conditions, and high cholesterol. Medical advisor Dr Lee Moses from Advisory Risk and Quality Management says for a long time, these conditions were most common among the elderly. But recently they are becoming common among younger, working-aged South Africans. 'In fact, 20% of deaths between the ages of 35 and 64 are attributed to chronic diseases, with hypertension being the most prevalent chronic health condition. 'Although preventable, these diseases are lifestyle-related and, in most cases, lifelong. However, they don't have to be debilitating. With the right lifestyle choices, many people can live long, fulfilling lives despite a diagnosis,' Moses said. The impact of chronic diseases: Living with a chronic condition includes managing symptoms daily. Moses said, 'Individuals living with hypertension (high blood pressure) must be careful to control stress and diet to avoid rising blood pressure. For those living with diabetes, this involves regularly checking blood sugar levels and monitoring their diet. Symptoms of cardiovascular or heart disease may include fatigue, shortness of breath and an increased risk of serious complications such as heart attacks or strokes. 'These illnesses not only affect physical health but also how individuals perform at work, their mental state and, ultimately, .and, ultimately, their ability to engage socially. 'The strain of managing a chronic condition can impact one's emotional health as well, often leading to anxiety and depression,' he said. Lifestyle changes that can make a difference: While medication and regular health check-ups are important, lifestyle habits serve as the foundation for long-term health. Moses shared the following tips on making small changes for big results. Eat right: Avoid consuming processed foods with added sugar, salt and saturated fats, which can increase blood pressure, cholesterol and blood sugar. Instead, consume more unprocessed foods such as fresh fruits and vegetables, lean proteins, whole grains and healthy fats. Move more: Make time for physical movement like walking, swimming or cycling for a minimum of 30 minutes a day. Exercising improves your heart health, controls blood sugar, and reduces blood pressure. Exercise also increases energy levels and supports mental health. Manage stress levels: Try to minimise stress as much as possible. Regular stress leads to increased blood pressure, poor sleep, and unhealthy eating habits. Activities such as deep breathing, meditation, yoga or keeping busy with hobbies are also effective ways of reducing stress. Sleep well: Prioritising rest and relaxation is as important as diet and exercise. Seven to nine hours of sleep helps to regulate the body, as well as manage hormones, blood sugar levels and blood pressure. Insufficient sleep increases the risk of developing chronic illnesses or complicating existing conditions. Stay connected: Support from family and friends is powerful in reducing emotional burdens. Stay in touch regularly, join a support group or consult a therapist to keep your emotions regulated, decrease feelings of loneliness and improve overall well-being. The power of support and prevention: According to Moses, access to comprehensive healthcare and skilled professionals makes living with a chronic condition more manageable. 'Most medical schemes offer support for lifestyle changes, including dietitian consultations, exercise programmes, mental health helplines and chronic disease management services, making it easier to stay on track,' he said. If you have not been diagnosed with a chronic condition, you can help prevent it by taking precautionary measures. This includes regular health screenings and keeping track of your blood pressure, cholesterol and glucose levels. 'Remember the importance of a healthy diet, exercise, rest and connection. Through such consistent changes, we can take back control and lead healthier, more empowered lives,' he concluded. At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
The Citizen
a day ago
- The Citizen
SA teen pregnancy crisis: 90 000 pregnancies recorded in 2024
Of 90 000 pregnancies recorded in girls aged 10 to 19, more than 2 300 were among girls aged between 10 and 14. These numbers speak not only of a health crisis, but also a grave injustice against children forced to become mothers, stakeholders said at a meeting this week. Teenage pregnancies 'robbing girls of their future' Steve Letsike, Deputy Minister in the Presidency responsible for Women, Youth, and Persons with Disabilities, warns that these numbers poses a threat to South Africans. Letsike said the scourge of teenage pregnancy is not only a health concern but a threat to the nation's social and moral fibre and future prosperity. 'Teenage pregnancy is robbing too many of our girls of their childhood and their future, and it will take all of us working together to turn the tide,' Letsike said at a stakeholder engagement in Pretoria recently aimed at addressing the persistent ongoing scourge of teenage pregnancy. Not only a statistic but also a crime He said 2 328 girls younger between 10 and 14-years-old recorded pregnancies last year. 'To call this alarming would be an understatement. These are children, some barely in their teens, some not even teenagers, now forced into motherhood,' Letsike said. Letsike said a child as young as 10 becoming pregnant was not just a statistic but evidence of a profound societal failure and a horrific crime because a girl that young cannot legally give consent. 'This crisis threatens the very foundation of our social and economic development as teenage pregnancy poses a serious threat to the health, rights, education and socio-economic well-being of girls. 'When a young girl becomes a mother, her chances of finishing school plummet, her job prospects diminish, and she often becomes trapped in a cycle of poverty. 'In other words, today's teen pregnancy is tomorrow's poverty and inequality. We must recognise this as not only a public health issue but a social justice emergency,' the deputy minister said. Letsike said the high incidence of adolescent pregnancy in the country was interlinked with other scourges of HIV and other STI infection rates, child sexual abuse, statutory rape, gender-based violence and femicide (GBVF), poverty, educational exclusion, substance abuse and even toxic elements of popular culture. 'To craft effective solutions, we must honestly confront how and why so many young girls are getting pregnant,' Letsike said. Urgent response needed Deputy Minister in the Presidency Nonceba Mhlauli said teenage pregnancy in South Africa has reached deeply concerning levels. 'These are not just numbers; they are a stark reflection of our socio-economic challenges and a call to action. Teenage pregnancy is more than a health crisis,' she said. Mhlauli said the response to teenage pregnancy must be urgent, coordinated and compassionate. 'Government cannot do this work alone. We need the support of all pillars of society, parents, faith leaders, educators, civil society, the media and the private sector,' she said. Pregnancies indicate inability to protect girls Chairperson of the National Youth Development Agency (NYDA) Board Asanda Luwaca said 'young girls are our sisters, our classmates, our cousins, our peers and children'. 'It is an indictment of our inability, as a collective, to fully protect the bodies, rights and dreams of girls, especially those from poor, rural and marginalised communities, especially differently abled,' she said. Luwaca said teenage pregnancy was not just about health, but injustice. 'It is about gender inequality, poverty, exploitation, broken family systems, absent accountability and a dangerous silence that protects perpetrators more than it protects girls. 'And until we confront these intersecting issues head-on with honesty, bravery and unflinching determination, we will continue to fail the young women of this nation. South Africa has the policies. We have the frameworks. What we need now is unapologetic implementation across every level of society,' Luwaca said. The engagement with stakeholders is part of an initiative to establish a Roadmap to South Africa's Teenage Pregnancy Prevention and Management Response. – Breaking news at your fingertips… Follow Caxton Network News on Facebook and join our WhatsApp channel. Nuus wat saakmaak. Volg Caxton Netwerk-nuus op Facebook en sluit aan by ons WhatsApp-kanaal. Read original story on At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
