New data released by Discovery Health Medical Scheme (DHMS) show an increase in cancer diagnoses among its members between 2024 and 2025, alongside higher cancer screening rates and a rise in the proportion of cancers detected at earlier stages.
According to the scheme’s latest cancer report, new cancer registrations to its Oncology Programme increased by 3.8%, from 11 517 to 11 960 cases. Over the same period, the total number of members registered for cancer care – including newly diagnosed and historical cases – rose by 7.1%. All year-on-year comparisons are based on claims data from January to October of each year.
Cervical cancer showed the largest increase in new registrations, rising by 21.7%, followed by prostate cancer at 6.8%. New colorectal cancer registrations increased by 3.9%, while breast cancer registrations rose by 0.6%.
From January to October last year, 106 921 DHMS members were registered on the Oncology Programme. Of these, 67 245 members submitted claims for cancer-related treatment, care, or monitoring. By comparison, 99 818 members were registered over the same period in 2024, with 63 536 submitting cancer-related claims.
Commenting on the findings, DHMS chief clinical officer Dr Noluthando Nematswerani said the increase in registered cases reflects both new diagnoses and members continuing to access care over longer periods.
“As the burden of cancer rises, our focus remains on ensuring that every member has access to the right treatment, at the right time, supported by high-quality clinical pathways and compassionate care through the scheme’s Oncology Programme,” she said.
Cancer-related claims paid by the scheme totalled R3.7 billion between January and October 2025. Over the past 14 years, DHMS has funded R29bn in cancer claims. The scheme reported that the number of members claiming for cancer care increased by 181% between 2012 and 2025. The highest individual cancer claim recorded in 2025 exceeded R2.1 million.
The report also shows an increase in cancer screening rates among DHMS members following pandemic-related disruptions. Since 2019, screening rates for major cancers increased by between 10% and 44%, depending on cancer type.
Over the same period, the scheme recorded increases in early-stage cancer diagnoses. Compared with 2019, early-stage colorectal cancer diagnoses increased by 14.9%, breast cancer by 7.5%, and prostate cancer by 0.9%. Cervical cancer screening rates in 2025 remained 8.9% below pre-pandemic levels, although early-stage cervical cancer diagnoses increased by 4.7%.
DHMS noted the data on screening rates and early-stage diagnoses have not been tested to establish a direct causal relationship.
However, a separate analysis conducted by the scheme involving 42 294 DHMS members diagnosed with breast, cervical, colorectal, or prostate cancer found that regular cancer screening was associated with improved outcomes. According to the analysis, adherence to routine screening increased the probability of an early-stage diagnosis by 18.6% and was associated with a 13.1% absolute reduction in five-year mortality, equivalent to a 67% relative reduction in mortality risk.
The scheme said the findings highlight the clinical role of routine cancer screening, particularly for cancers such as colorectal and cervical cancer, where screening can identify abnormal or pre-cancerous changes before disease develops. For other cancers, including breast and prostate cancer, earlier diagnosis through screening is associated with a wider range of treatment options and improved outcomes.
DHMS attributed part of the increase in screening uptake to the introduction of its Personal Health Pathways programme in January 2025.
According to the scheme, members who activated the programme completed recommended health actions at a higher rate than expected based on their prior behaviour, including higher completion rates for colon and breast cancer screening. DHMS reported that this translated into an estimated additional 110 000 health actions completed in 2025 that would not have occurred without access to the programme.
