Rising Breast Cancer Risk Calls for Comprehensive Protection Solutions

Thu, 21 May 2026, 22:08 WIB | By Heryadi | Source: MEDIA_INDONESIA | Business

Prudential Life Assurance launched PRULady, a breast cancer protection life insurance product for Indonesian women. The launch took place on National Awakening Day as part of increasing awareness of early detection and health protection from the outset.

Vice President Director of Prudential Life Assurance, Vikas Sinha, said the product responds to growing public concern about the risk of breast cancer. ‘According to GLOBOCAN 2022 data, breast cancer is the most common cancer among women in Indonesia, with around 66,000 new cases—more than 30% of all female cancer cases,’ he said at the launch on Thursday. He added that a survey titled ‘Prudential Study – The Voice of Indonesian Patients’, conducted with Economist Impact, showed nine in ten respondents said they delayed healthcare, and nearly half repeatedly postponed treatment. According to Vikas, such conditions lead to many new cancer patients being detected only at advanced stages. ‘Through this product we are offering a comprehensive protection solution that covers early detection to treatment, while reinforcing promotive and preventive efforts,’ he said.

EXPERIENCE OF SURVIVORS

Singer and women’s health advocate Andien Aisyah, present at the launch, shared her experience as a breast cancer survivor. ‘When I was diagnosed with breast cancer at age 16, I felt overwhelmed because information about breast cancer then was not as abundant as it is now,’ she said. She added the experience made her realise that breast cancer risk can come earlier, making early detection and health protection vital. ‘On this National Awakening Day I hope Indonesian women will remember to support each other and raise awareness of preventive measures,’ she said.

The insurance product also features a premium discount of up to five percent for policyholders who are not diagnosed with breast cancer symptoms during their annual check-up. DETECTION EARLY

Dr. Arif Winata, a surgical oncology consultant at RS EMC Grha Kedoya, judged early detection as crucial to survival. ‘Based on the American Cancer Society, the chances of cure and survival can reach 99% if cancer is found when it is still a small lump and has not progressed to an advanced stage,’ he said. He added that delayed diagnosis makes treatment more complex, longer, and more expensive. Therefore, he welcomed PRULady as a health protection product that encourages routine health check-ups and early detection of breast cancer.

The protection product offers life coverage with premiums starting around Rp300,000 per month and a sum insured of up to 140 percent. In addition to early and late stage critical illness benefits, policyholders receive premium waivers if diagnosed with breast cancer during the premium payment period. The PRULady launch also aligns with the National Cancer Plan 2024-2034 and the National Breast Cancer Action Plan 2025-2034, which place early detection and preventive efforts at the core of cancer management in Indonesia. (E-2)

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