Group protection provider Canada Life has announced that it is partnering with virtual cancer care clinic Perci Health as its Specialist Cancer Care provider. This will provide group critical illness (GCI) claimants, or a family member caring for them, with care that helps them navigate the holistic physical and emotional impact of a cancer diagnosis.
Canada Life introduced Specialist Cancer Care with the aim of plugging a gap in UK cancer care and supporting employees 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 has identified that a patient dealing with cancer has on average 24 unmet needs. Side effects can include chronic fatigue, pain, an impact on fertility or early menopause, lymphoedema, damage to nerve endings and 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 aims to complement an individual’s NHS or private treatment. The employee is allocated a dedicated cancer nurse specialist for up to 12 months to help them navigate their cancer treatment, facilitate conversations with any specialists they’re working with and coordinate contact with Perci 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.
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 health recovery. This may include oncology-specialist physiotherapists, dieticians experienced in cancer care, psychological support, menopause expertise, and pain or neuropathy management.
This is designed to manage symptoms earlier, prevent setbacks, support treatment continuity and strengthen long-term health recovery.
Cancer continues to be the number one cause of group critical illness claims for Canada Life, accounting for 68% of claims in 2025. The most common cancers claimed for since 2019 are breast, testicular and prostate cancers. The average age of cancer claimants is just under 51 years old.
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 2023, and 3.5 million people were living it. This is predicted to rise to six million people by 2040.
One in three people living with cancer continue to experience severe health needs beyond their initial treatment because of long-term side effects.
"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," Dan Crook, managing director, protection at Canada Life, said.
He continued: "Together, we also want to work closely with financial advisers to educate employers and employee flexible benefit members about Specialist Cancer Care. By joining forces, we believe we can offer employees living with cancer a treatment and recovery journey that goes far beyond hospital care and truly improves workplace health.
"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 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, added: "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."
