Discovery Health Medical Scheme reports cancer diagnoses rise 3.8% in a year: More cancers are being detected at earlier stages, and Personal Health Pathways is boosting cancer screening rates

Disclaimers

1. This press statement is issued by Discovery Health (Pty) Ltd, registration number 1997/013480/07, an authorised financial services provider and accredited administrator of medical schemes, on behalf of Discovery Health Medical Scheme, registration number 1125, which it administers.
2. Personal Health Pathways is brought to Discovery Health Medical Scheme members by Discovery Health (Pty) Ltd. Personal Health Pathways is enabled by the combination of Discovery Health’s healthcare capabilities and Vitality’s behaviour change expertise. Vitality is a separate wellness product, sold and administered by Discovery Vitality (Pty) Ltd.
3. The Personal Health Fund is a benefit offered by Discovery Health Medical Scheme.

R29 billion paid towards cancer care costs over the past 14 years

The World Health Organization (WHO) reports that 1 in 5 people develops cancer in their lifetime, and the global cancer burden is projected to increase significantly to over 35 million cases in 2050.

Dr Nematswerani provides Scheme-specific context: “In 2012 (January to October), around 23,900 members claimed for cancer care, compared to 67,245 members claiming during the same period in 2025. That means there has been a 181% increase in members claiming over the past 14 years.”

“Cancer care costs have also increased over time. Here, medical inflation is driven by elements such as increased cancer screening rates and more cancers being detected as a result, stages at which cancers are diagnosed (severity), as well as other factors such as the introduction of high-cost targeted and immunotherapy drugs, high-cost combination therapies, and longer duration of treatment due to improved member survival rates.”

“Regular screening remains one of the most reassuring steps people can take for their health,” explains Dr Nematswerani. “Cancers such as colorectal and cervical cancer can be prevented through screening, as the checks detect abnormal cells early on, and these can be treated before cancer presents. For other forms of cancer – like breast or prostate cancer – screening at the right intervals allows for detection as early as possible, which is key. Knowing you’re keeping a close eye on things, and catching any concerns early, offers peace of mind and can make a profound difference to treatment and recovery outcomes.”

Globally, many routine preventive health checks were postponed during the COVID-19 pandemic years, but for DHMS members, screening rates for most cancers have since recovered.

Over time, there has also been an increase in early-stage cancer diagnoses - cancers that have not spread to other parts of the body - which may, in part, be attributed to increased screening rates, but that is also a function of other factors (the data shared below has not been tested to show a direct or causal relationship):

Compared to 2019 (the pre-pandemic period), by 2025:

Adherence to regular cancer screening checks is a powerful lever for influencing the stage at which cancer is detected. The results of a separate, recent analysis looking at 42,294 Discovery Health Medical Scheme members who were diagnosed with either breast, cervical, colorectal or prostate cancer were definitive:

• Regular screening directly increased the probability of an early-stage diagnosis by 18.6%.

• The greatest impact seen was for colorectal cancer.

• Adherence to cancer screening was directly linked to a 13.1% absolute reduction in 5-year mortality (a universal measure of how likely people are to live for five years or more after being diagnosed with cancer). This translated to a remarkable 67% relative reduction in mortality risk.

Around one-third of cancer deaths are linked to tobacco and alcohol use, a high body mass index (obesity), unhealthy diets and low levels of physical activity, according to the WHO. The World Cancer Research Fund reports that up to 40% of cancer cases are preventable through following a healthy diet and limiting exposure to the factors outlined by the WHO.

As of 1 January 2025, DHMS members have had access to Personal Health Pathways, a groundbreaking innovation that delivers real-time, personalised health recommendations. Built on one of the world’s largest clinical and behavioural datasets, this pioneering platform provides personalised health guidance to 2.1 million adult members of the Discovery Health Medical Scheme. Millions of personalised health actions have been recommended to date (alongside weekly exercise goals), tailored to each member’s unique health status. Each member’s pathway is uniquely developed to enhance individual health outcomes, supporting Scheme members in developing and sustaining the right health habits. Personal Health Pathways also adapts to new health data and information as members and their healthcare providers engage with the platform. 

From January to the end of December 2025:

• Over 510,000 members activated their Personal Health Pathway

• They completed more than 3.8 million weekly exercise goals and 654,000 health actions.

• These health actions included over 118,000 mental-wellbeing assessments, 40,000 health checks, 46,000 dental checks, 16,200 pap smears, 14,000 mammograms, 13,500 prostate screenings and 7,000 bowel-cancer screenings.

• At the same time, members earned more than R48 million in rewards (through Discovery Health). (Scheme members who are also Vitality clients also earn Vitality rewards). And members accumulated over R337 million in their Personal Health Funds (available for day-to-day healthcare expenses).

Additional 110,000 health actions completed in 2025 because of member engagement in Personal Health Pathways

Considering baseline member behaviour, members who activated Personal Health Pathways had a 40% higher completion rate of recommended health actions (up to 36% higher for cancer screening checks) than expected based on their engagement prior to the availability of Personal Health Pathways. This translated to an additional 110,000 health actions completed in 2025 that would not have occurred without access to this programme.

The uplift was particularly pronounced in certain preventive cancer checks, including a 36% higher-than-expected rate of colon cancer screening and a 24% higher-than-expected increase in the rate of completed mammograms.

“These encouraging trends show how the right guidance at the right time can make all the difference,” adds Dr Nematswerani. “It’s deeply meaningful to see members catching conditions early, sometimes before symptoms appear - because a personalised recommendation nudged them to prioritise their health.”

• Behind the numbers are Discovery Health Medical Scheme members who have detected cancers - such as early breast cancer or the risk of cervical cancer - after PHP-prompted health checks were carried out, with life-saving impact. Read their stories.

“Discovery Health Medical Scheme offers comprehensive cancer benefits, supported by oncology cover thresholds that ensure members can access high-quality care from diagnosis to treatment and ongoing management,” adds Dr Nematswerani.

Depending on their plan option, members receive up to R500,000, R375,000 or R250,000 in oncology funding per 12-month cycle, with full cover for Prescribed Minimum Benefit and other plan-specific formulary treatment. Thereafter, funding continues at 100% for Prescribed Minimum Benefit (PMB) treatment and at 80% of the Discovery Health Rate for non-PMB treatment. This sits alongside access to advanced therapies, including precision medicines through the Oncology Innovation Benefit, coordinated care pathways, and extensive benefits for radiology, surgery, and supportive care. For qualifying members, the Advanced Illness Benefit brings quality palliative care to the comfort of a member’s home, delivered by a multidisciplinary team of trained doctors, nurses and counsellors.

“Together, these structured thresholds and evidence-based funding mechanisms ensure that members receive comprehensive, high-quality, evidence-based healthcare in a sustainable way, and in partnership with their healthcare providers,” adds Dr Nematswerani. “And with tools like Personal Health Pathways guiding the right checks at the right time, we’re empowering people to take proactive steps for their wellbeing. This is the future of healthcare - supportive, personalised and dedicated to helping every member live a healthier life.”

Ends/

Notes to editors:

• Breast cancer has long been the most prevalent cancer among female DHMS members. Cervical cancer is the second-most common, mirroring South African population-wide data.

• Among male DHMS members, prostate cancer remains the most common primary cancer, again aligned to national data, followed by colorectal cancer (this is also the fourth highest cancer nationally). Compared to females, males are at a higher risk of colorectal cancer https://cansa.org.za/south-african-cancer-statistics/ (with a higher number of new cases in males than females across all age groups - 40 males versus 30 females per 100,000 lives between January and October 2025).

DHMS members have cover for cancer screening from their Screening and Prevention Benefit as follows:

- Breast cancer screening: For women of average risk, a mammogram or ultrasound of the breasts is advised every two years. For women at high risk, an annual mammogram, and (where appropriate) MRI and genetic testing (BRCA) are advised. Access the Scheme’s “My breast cancer risk calculator” for an estimate of the risk of an individual developing breast cancer.

- Cervical cancer screening: Women at average-risk: Pap smear every three years or Human Papillomavirus (HPV) test – HPV self-sampling test kits - now in the comfort of home - can be done every five years. High-risk: (includes women living with HIV), annual pap smear or HPV test every three years. The HPV test is preferred.

Find out more about women’s health checks

- Prostate cancer screening: prostate-specific antigen (PSA) blood test in consultation with a healthcare professional to weigh the benefits versus the risks of screening.

Find out more about health checks for men

- Colorectal cancer screening – Discovery Health Medical Scheme members aged 45 to 75 who are at average risk of colorectal cancer have cover for stool screening (faecal occult blood testing) every two years. Members who receive a positive faecal occult blood test result and those who are considered at high risk for colorectal cancer are eligible for a colonoscopy - without a copayment when the procedure is performed in a doctor’s rooms or within the Scheme’s designated scope network. The costs charged by healthcare professionals will be covered either partially or in full, depending on whether the member uses a provider within the Scheme’s network.

Find out more by reading the Discovery Health Medical Scheme’s 2026 Screening and Prevention brochure.