Press releases

Fear is preventing millions of Britons from facing up to health concerns and getting advice or tests done early, according to new research from Combined Insurance.

With two in five people (40%) claiming they would delay going to the doctors to test for a serious medical condition, Combined Insurance researchers asked a GB representative sample of 2,000 people which illnesses or conditions they were most likely to put off getting investigated.

Key fears

• Thought of the dentist’s chair still strikes fear into many people. Two in five Britons (40%) said that undergoing dental work was the top treatment they would put off.

• Of concern is the fact that cancer screenings featured prominently in the list of medical tests people would put off. With more than one in three Britons affected by cancer, many people appear to be turning their backs on all important early diagnosis and treatment.

• On a positive note, with the chill of winter still here, only a very small proportion of people are postponing getting flu jabs or immunisations. The fight against heart disease also seems to be making positive progress with only 7% of people delaying having regular blood pressure or cholesterol checks.

• Dispelling the myth that men are more likely to bury their heads in the sand when it comes to health matters, the Combined Insurance research revealed that it was women who were most likely to delay seeing a doctor or specialist (44% compared to 37%).

• Young people were most likely to turn their backs on medical advice. Among the under 25 year-old age group there were more people that would put off getting medical advice than there were people that would go for early check–ups (58% compared to 38%).

Nigel Brittle, Director at Combined Insurance commented: “It is a serious concern that so many people are delaying getting medical worries or complaints checked out. As a leading health insurer, we provide cancer care cover and we are committed to raising awareness of the amount of people that do survive cancer – and the importance of early treatment and diagnosis.

“Combined Insurance’s Care for Cancer Plan is designed to take away many of the financial stresses that long term treatment may involve – allowing the individual to concentrate on fighting and hopefully beating the illness.”

For more information please contact:
Andrew Cummine / Guy Bellamy    
FD Consumer Dynamics    
0207 269 7205/ 7177
andrew.cummine@fd.com

Notes to editors;

1. Since 1919, Combined Insurance (www.combinedinsurance.co.uk) has specialised in bringing affordable, quality insurance products to individuals and families - and currently provides supplemental disability, accident, health and life cover to over 3.5 million policyholders. Combined Insurance has never forgotten its roots and today operates face-to-face in local communities – just as it has done for the last 90 years.

Main features for Combined Care for Cancer Plan:

Cancer Screening Benefit
A benefit of either £25, £50 or £75 (depending on the level of cover) for NHS approved cancer screening tests to encourage regular screening which may result in early detection of cancers and improve the rate of recovery. You do not have to be ill in order to make a claim on this benefit.

Cancer Diagnosis Benefit
A benefit of either £10,000, £20,000 or £30,000 (depending on the level of cover) if you are diagnosed with a cancer meeting our definition. This benefit payment can therefore take away the many financial stresses that a long term treatment may involve. Our research showed two-thirds of people said that receiving a cash sum pay out when diagnosed was a key element to any cover.

Approved Drugs Benefit
Benefits of up to either £5,000, £10,000 or £15,000 (depending on the level of cover) are paid for approved cancer drugs that are not available on the NHS for free. Our research showed that more than half of the people thought that assistance towards approved cancer drugs was very important to them (53%).