To help raise awareness during Breast Cancer Awareness Month in October, Aegon has shared previously unpublished figures on breast cancer claims in 2012.
While cancer as a whole made up 60%of all critical illness claims Aegon received in 2012, breast cancer on its own accounted for 23% of these claims - the biggest single cause of critical illness claims that year.
Simon Jacobs, head of underwriting and claims strategy at Aegon UK said: "These figures combined with the 21% of claims for breast cancer in 2011 demonstrate how important breast cancer awareness is.
"The good news is that the recent figures released by the Office of National Statistics revealed that women diagnosed with breast cancer are surviving longer."
The average age at claim was 46 years old, with the youngest being only 35 years old. Breast cancer accounted for 5 per cent of life claims paid in 2012.
Jacobs continued: "Early detection and better treatment means that survival rates after a diagnosis of breast cancer are improving. This is clearly reflected in the claims for breast cancer and also creates a stronger case around the importance of critical illness cover."
