OREANDA-NEWS. Three in five (61%) UK adults fear they won’t be able to pay the bills if they become ill with cancer, Aviva’s latest Health Check UK Report shows.  Half of adults under the age of 65 years will be diagnosed with cancer at some point in their lifetime1 , meaning many will have to face the emotional and financial impact of the disease.

More than half (55%) of UK adults say they do not have any savings to cover their bills or childcare if they were to become ill with cancer.  Women are more likely to be in this position (60%) than men (50%): this lack of savings, combined with typically lower salaries, could leave women particularly exposed to the financial impact of cancer. These concerns are not misplaced, with Macmillan research showing 83% of those receiving a cancer diagnosis are ?570 a month worse off on average2.

Although the likelihood of having no savings decreases with age, almost half (47%) of the 55-64 year old group do not have any savings to help relieve the financial pressure created with a cancer diagnosis. This is particularly concerning given 53% of all cancers are diagnosed in adults aged 50-743.

Spending time with family and ensuring relatives are not overburdened with the illness are top priorities for most people. Almost two thirds (65%) of people stated that they would not want to worry their family with their own questions and concerns if they were diagnosed with cancer, and more than three quarters (76%) of UK adults agree that spending quality time with family on a holiday would be very important if they had the disease. 

However, it is not just personal finances that are cause for concern. Around three quarters (74%) worry that they would not be able to access all the cancer drugs they need. Although in reality just 14% of those who have received treatment for cancer say the NHS did not provide all the cancer drugs and treatments available to help their condition, the future of the government’s Cancer Drugs Fund, which pays for treatments, is unclear.

Table 1: Top concerns for UK adults surrounding cancer

Statement % who agree
If I had cancer, spending quality time with my family on a holiday would be very important 76%
If it was possible I would prefer to receive cancer treatments in my own home, rather than a hospital 75%
I am worried that the NHS won’t be able to provide all the cancer drugs I would need 74%
I wouldn’t want to worry my family with my questions and concerns if I was diagnosed with cancer 65%
I am concerned about how I/we would pay all our bills if I was ill with cancer 61%
I don’t have any savings put aside to cover bills and/or childcare 55%

One in five don’t know how to self-check for cancer


Despite nearly three quarters (73%) of the population having been affected by cancer at some point in their lives – either through personal experience of the disease or through others – just one in ten (13%) regularly carry out self-checks for signs of cancer.

While self-checking won’t be beneficial for all types of cancer, noticing any changes helps to detect some types of cancer in the early stages when it is more treatable. One in five (20%) say they do not know how to carry out these checks, with this lack of knowledge much more common among men (27%) than women (13%).

Aviva’s research shows people are more likely to attend free cancer screenings provided by the NHS, with 34% having participated in this in the past. An additional 44% say they haven’t been offered screening yet, but would be happy to attend. That being said, one in ten (9%) have put off taking part in cancer screening and 12% believe they wouldn’t take part if they were offered this. 

Dr Doug Wright, Medical Director for Aviva UK Health says,

“There are steps families can take to protect themselves against the financial impact of cancer, including building up a healthy savings pot. Self-checking and attending recommended screenings are useful steps in the fight against cancer, so it’s worrying to see that not everyone knows how to, or is willing to do this4 . There’s no need to worry about doing this too obsessively, but being aware of your body will help you to recognise if there are any potentially harmful changes. Catching cancer in the early stages can often lead to a better outcome.”