Group protection provider Canada Life has enhanced its group critical illness insurance (GCI) to give employee members facing the life-changing impact of cancer access to personalised, specialist cancer support.
It is partnering with Perci Health, the CQC-regulated virtual cancer care clinic backed by Macmillan, as its Specialist Cancer Care provider to provide group critical illness claimants – or a family member caring for them – with compassionate, expert cancer care that helps them navigate the holistic physical and emotional impact of a cancer diagnosis.
Canada Life has introduced Specialist Cancer Care to plug a gap in UK cancer care and support employees with the impact of cancer, including the ongoing treatment effects, pain management and long-term side effects.
In its experience of working with patients, Perci has identified that a patient dealing with cancer has on average 24 unmet needs. Side effects can include chronic fatigue, pain, an impact on fertility or early menopause, lymphodema, damage to nerve endings, as well as a significant impact on their mental health.
They can also have difficulty managing and navigating treatment without specialist help, and feel unsupported as they seek to recover health or return to work. This in turn increases the burden on partners, family and carers.
Specialist Cancer Care complements an individual’s NHS or private treatment by bringing together care that addresses their complex cancer needs, prevents duplication of services and means they do not have to retell their story each time they talk to a clinical specialist.
The employee is allocated a dedicated cancer nurse specialist for up to 12 months to help them navigate their cancer treatment, facilitate seamless conversations with any specialists they’re working with and coordinate contact with Perci oncology rehabilitation clinicians to support their management of the long-term mental and physical side-effects.
They can book unlimited video or phone appointments with their dedicated nurse via the Perci app, and it’s in the app where they can also view all of their information, message their nurse and access tailored content specific to them. Combined, this delivers:
- Clear explanation of diagnosis and treatment plans
- Preparation for hospital appointments
- Support to manage treatment impact and side effects
- Structured support through recovery and return to work.
Under Canada Life’s offering, the service user also receives up to three additional sessionswith a team of specialist cancer clinicians to support the patient’s rehabilitation and long-term health recovery. This may include oncology-specialist physiotherapists, dieticians experienced in cancer care, psychological support, menopause expertise, and pain or neuropathy management.
This helps to manage symptoms earlier, prevent setbacks, support treatment continuity and strengthen long-term health recovery.
A Specialist Cancer Care webpage has been created on www.canadalife.co.uk with information and an employer guide about the service, to help financial advisers and employee benefit consultants explain to employer clients and flexible benefits members the value of group critical illness insurance when facing cancer.
A growing employee risk
Cancer continues to be the number one cause of group critical illness claims for Canada Life, accounting for 68% of claims in 2025. The most common cancers claimed for since 2019 are breast, testicular and prostate cancers3. The average age of cancer claimants is just under 51 years old.
Survival rates are improving as a result of continuous medical progress. UK cancer charity Macmillan estimates 423,000 people were diagnosed with cancer in the UK in 2023, and 3.5 million people were living with it. This is predicted to rise to six million people by 2040.
One in three people living with cancer continue to experience severe health needs beyond their initial treatment as a result of long-term side effects.
Dan Crook, Managing Director, Protection at Canada Life, said:
“Canada Life has partnered with Perci Health to provide specialist cancer care that helps employees manage the practical realities of living with cancer and supports their recovery. Together, we also want to work closely with financial advisers to educate employers and employee flexible benefit members about Specialist Cancer Care.
By joining forces, we believe we can offer employees living with cancer a treatment and recovery journey that goes far beyond hospital care and truly improves workplace health.
“How cancer affects each individual and its long-term impact is becoming more nuanced as medical treatments advance. Often, it’s overwhelming and can feel isolating, with cancer patients often feeling it’s their condition – in the case of cancer, their tumour – that is being treated, rather than the person. Specialist Cancer Care delivers clinical, practical and emotional support which complements NHS or private hospital treatment and puts the individual – not just their diagnosis – at the heart of their cancer journey.”
Kelly McCabe, Chief Executive Officer at Perci Health, said:
“People living with and beyond cancer, and their families, face far more than just the disease itself. Beyond hospital walls, many are left navigating the impact on their work, finances, family life and recovery, often without the right support, particularly once treatment ends, when access to care can fall away.
Through our partnership with Canada Life, we’re closing that gap by delivering personalised, multidisciplinary care that wraps around the individual, not just the cancer.
Our nurses build tailored care teams around each person, bringing together specialists such as psychologists, dietitians, physiotherapists and exercise experts, so we can support the full range of needs people face. This approach helps individuals manage side effects, regain control, and optimise their health, quality of life and return-to-work outcomes at every stage.”
