Samsung Fire & Marine Insurance: "Prostate Cancer Up 13.6% Annually... 86% Among Men Aged 60 and Over"

Prostate cancer has been increasing by 13.6% each year, making it the most common cancer among men this year.

Samsung Fire & Marine Insurance announced on November 11 the results of its analysis of insurance claim big data. According to the study, prostate cancer has been growing rapidly at an annual rate of 13.6%. Among patients aged 60 and older, the incidence of prostate cancer accounted for 85.6% of all cases.

An analysis of 2,596 customers diagnosed with prostate cancer from 2015 to last year showed that more than 85% underwent robotic surgery. Although robotic surgery is a high-cost, non-reimbursed procedure with an average out-of-pocket medical expense of 11 million won, it is presumed to be preferred due to its low rate of postoperative complications.

Samsung Fire & Marine Insurance Headquarters. Samsung Fire & Marine Insurance

An analysis of complication symptoms revealed that the incidence of urinary incontinence did not differ significantly by surgical method. For robotic surgery, the rate of voiding dysfunction complications was 1.3% lower than that of conventional surgery, and hematuria was rarely observed. The proportion of surgeries performed on patients aged 70 and older was relatively low. However, the proportion of robotic surgeries in this age group was similar to that of other age groups.

In most cases, prostate cancer does not present with noticeable symptoms in its early stages, and often remains asymptomatic until the disease has progressed to a certain extent. As a result, early diagnosis is difficult. However, regular prostate-specific antigen (PSA) screening tests for those with prostate conditions have been shown to significantly increase the likelihood of early detection.

According to the Samsung Fire & Marine Insurance analysis, 22.5% of prostate cancer patients had pre-existing prostate conditions such as prostatitis or benign prostatic hyperplasia before their cancer diagnosis. Patients with pre-existing prostate conditions had a 4.2% higher rate of treatment completion within one year after their cancer diagnosis compared to those without such conditions. The proportion of patients treated with surgery alone was also 4.5% higher, indicating that early detection has a positive impact on treatment outcomes. Samsung Fire & Marine Insurance recommended annual screening tests starting at age 50.

Lee Haesung, Executive Director of the Healthcare Business Division at Samsung Fire & Marine Insurance, said, "Through big data analysis of prostate cancer, now the most common cancer among men, we sought to understand patients' difficulties and closely identify gaps in customer-centered coverage. We will continue to do our utmost to provide practical support to customers, not only during treatment but also throughout their lives after cancer."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.