Southern Cross to fund preventative treatment
Prophylactic treatment is undertaken to prevent a disease or illness from occurring where there’s an identified high risk – recently made prominent by Angelina Jolie, who had her ovaries removed and a double mastectomy due to the BRCA1 gene mutation linked to breast and ovarian cancer.
Southern Cross Health Society is the first New Zealand insurer to offer this benefit as part of its plans.
Head of product and marketing Chris Watney says, “Genetic testing can identify a person’s increased risk for developing a life-threatening condition and is changing the way people look at their health.
“If it’s highly likely a condition – such as breast cancer or ovarian cancer – will develop, prophylactic surgery can be recommended as the best course of action. We want to support members in this difficult decision and give them more options.”
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