Aviva has released previously unpublished details of its critical illness (CI) and private medical insurance (PMI) claims relating to male-specific cancers.

Data from the insurer shows that in 2012, male-specific cancers (prostate cancer and testicular cancer) accounted for 26% of cancer critical illness claims from men. Across all critical illness claims from men, testicular and prostate cancers accounted for 13% of claims (prostate cancer 6.7% and testicular cancer 6.5%).

During this period the insurer paid almost £8 million to men with these conditions, with an average payment of more than £81,000.

Figures from Aviva healthcare show a similar trend, with prostate and testicular cancers accounting for 14% of all PMI claims. In 2012 Aviva funded treatments worth £5.9 million for customers with prostate cancer and more than £321,000 for testicular cancer patients.

In October 2011 Aviva introduced an additional benefit to its CI cover, meaning customers with low-grade prostate cancer could receive up to £20,000 while their policy stays in force and the sum assured remains unchanged.

Aviva research has found:

• In 2010, 40,975 men in the UK were diagnosed with prostate cancer.
• In 2010, 2,286 men in the UK were diagnosed with testicular cancer.
• In 2010 there were 10,721 deaths from prostate cancer in the UK and 75 from testicular cancer.
• In 2005-2009, 81.4% of adult prostate cancer patients and 97.2% of adult testicular cancer patients in England survived their cancer for five years or more.
• It is estimated that the eventual rate of prostate cancer in boys born today will triple compared with the current rate of around 41,000 men a year.

Robert Morrison, chief underwriter for Aviva, said : “It’s very clear from our data that men’s cancers are a significant cause of claims, so it’s great to see initiatives like Movember raising awareness of men’s health issues and encouraging people to find out more about the signs of male cancers so that they can seek medical advice as soon as possible.

“If prostate cancer is diagnosed early enough, the recovery rate tends to be very good. This is why we offer additional payments for critical illness customers diagnosed with early prostate cancer.

“This type of payment can help to ease financial pressures – for example if people need to take time off work for treatment – but cover remains in place with the full sum unaffected, so that greater peace of mind is still there for customers.”