Workplace protection insurer Canada Life has extended the benefits of its group critical illness insurance to give employees facing the life-changing impact of cancer access to personalised, specialist cancer support.
It is partnering with Perci Health, a CQC-regulated virtual cancer care clinic backed by Macmillan, to provide employees with compassionate, expert cancer care that helps them navigate the holistic physical and emotional impact of a cancer diagnosis.
Canada Life has introduced its Specialist Cancer Care to plug a gap in UK cancer care and support group critical illness claimants 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 Health has identified that a patient dealing with cancer has on average 24 unmet needs1. 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 making a group critical illness claim to Canada Life for cancer – or a loved one caring for them – 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 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
- Emotional reassurance and practical guidance, and
- Structured support through recovery and return to work.
Under Canada Life’s offering, the service user also receives up to three additional sessions with a team of specialist cancer clinicians to support the patient’s rehabilitation and long-term 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 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 20252. 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 old4.
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 20235, and 3.5 million people were living it. This is predicted to rise to six million people by 20406.
One in three people living with cancer continue to experience severe health needs beyond their initial treatment as a result of long-term side effects7.
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. Employees living with cancer face a treatment and recovery journey which extends far beyond hospital care. But they may not know where to turn for help.
“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 personalised 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.”
ENDS
Notes to Editors
Group critical illness insurance is an employer-sponsored or employee-financed flexible employee benefit that pays a tax-free lump sum to the employee when diagnosed with a life-changing, serious illness.
Specialist Cancer Care is available for employees claiming under a Group Critical Illness policy, the employee’s spouse/partner making a critical illness claim on the policy, or an immediate family caregiver providing care for the employee, spouse, partner, or child. These services cannot directly support anyone under the age of 18. These services are non-contractual benefits provided through Canada Life and can be altered or withdrawn at any time.
Sources:
- Perci Health, Impact Report 2024, p.30
- Canada Life group critical illness claims internal data, 1 January to 31 December 2025
- Canada Life group critical illness claims internal data, 1 January to 31 December 2025
- Canada Life group critical illness claims internal data, 1 January to 31 December 2025
- Macmillan Cancer Support, cancer statistics in the UK, last updated February 2026
- Cancer Research UK, “Over 6 million cancer diagnoses by 2024”, published 28 August 2025
- Macmillan Cancer Support, cancer statistics in the UK, last updated February 2026
Enquiries:
Press enquiries should be directed to:
Julie Hughes-Edwards, Canada Life, +44 7803 249343, julie.hughes-edwards@canadalife.co.uk
About Canada Life:
Canada Life is part of a group of companies controlled by Great-West Lifeco Inc., a Canadian headquartered, international financial services holding company with interests in life insurance, health insurance, retirement and investment services, asset management and reinsurance businesses. Through its subsidiary companies, Great-West Lifeco operates in Canada, the United States, and Europe. Great-West Lifeco trades on the Toronto Stock Exchange under the ticker symbol GWO and is a member of the Power Corporation group of companies.
Canada Life Limited began operations in the United Kingdom (UK) in 1903 and provides UK individuals and businesses with a range of retirement, investment, insurance and wealth solutions. Canada Life offers individual annuities, pension de-risking solutions, home finance, estate planning and investment options, and workplace protection products.
Canada Life Limited (no.973271) is registered in England and Wales, authorised by the Prudential Regulation Authority, and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority and the Prudential Regulation Authority. Stonehaven UK Limited (no.05487702), trading as Canada Life, is registered in England and Wales and is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. Canada Life International Limited (no.033178C) and CLI Institutional Limited (no.108017C) are Isle of Man registered companies authorised and regulated by the Isle of Man Financial Services Authority. Canada Life International Assurance (Ireland) DAC (no. 440141) and Canada Life International Assurance (Ireland) DAC are authorised and regulated by the Central Bank of Ireland.
Canada Life Asset Management is the brand for investment management activities undertaken by Canada Life Asset Management Limited (no.3846821), Canada Life Limited and Canada Life European Real Estate Limited (no.03846823). Canada Life Asset Management Limited is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority.
Please note that while Canada Life Limited and Canada Life Asset Management Limited are regulated as stated above, property management and the provision of commercial mortgages are not regulated activities.