5 Reasons to Consider Cancer Insurance for Yourself

The reality of cancer is increasingly worrisome. The solution? Always be prepared. While we cannot predict the possibility of a diagnosis, we can prepare to face it to the best of our abilities. This means ensuring you’re financially prepared to seek quality consultation and treatment, and to focus on overcoming the disease rather than worrying about bills.

Here are five reasons why cancer insurance is worth considering:

As the cost of cancer treatments continues to increase, securing an insurance policy specifically designed for cancer diagnosis is the best option.

Here are 5 reasons why you might consider Cancer Insurance:

1. Ensures Your Financial Stability with Critical Illness Insurance in the Event of a Diagnosis

The chart below provides an estimate of the costs associated with cancer diagnosis and treatment at a private hospital in Malaysia. While the actual cost may vary depending on the stage of cancer, treatment plan, and healthcare provider, it highlights the significant financial impact a critical illness can have on individuals and their families.

Type of Cancer	Estimated Cost (RM)
Breast Cancer	from RM395,000
Colorectal Cancer	from RM121,000
Nasopharyngeal Cancer	from RM70,000
Cervical Cancer	from RM60,000
Lung Cancer	from RM56,000

Source: Cost of cancer treatment in Malaysia, iMoney Learning Centre

With a critical illness plan such as Etiqa Critical Care Plus, you only need to budget for an affordable monthly or yearly premium. If you’re diagnosed with a covered critical illness, including cancer, you’ll receive a lump-sum payout that can be used according to your financial needs. Whether it’s for medical expenses, replacing lost income, supporting your family’s daily living costs, or funding your recovery, the benefit provides greater financial flexibility when you need it most.

Early diagnosis can make a significant difference to both health outcomes and financial planning. Cancer detected at an earlier stage is often associated with less intensive treatment, more treatment options and better survival outcomes. In contrast, later-stage cancer may require more complex and prolonged treatment, resulting in higher medical costs and greater financial strain. This is why regular health screenings and adequate financial protection are important in helping individuals prepare for the unexpected.

2. Supplements Your General Medical Policy

A cancer-specific insurance plan provides financial support throughout your cancer journey. It complements your medical insurance by helping to cover expenses that go beyond hospital bills, such as daily living costs, loss of income, or other financial commitments during treatment.

You may be wondering, “Wouldn’t a critical illness plan provide similar protection?” The answer is yes—but there are important differences.

A critical illness plan typically covers a range of critical illnesses, including cancer, and pays a lump sum when the policy’s claim conditions are met. However, the benefits, payout amount, and eligibility vary depending on the plan. Some plans may only pay for cancer that meets specific definitions or reaches certain stages.

If you want broader financial support for cancer, a plan such as Etiqa Critical Care Plus can help ease the financial burden from the point of diagnosis. It provides a lump-sum payout for eligible cancer claims, including early-stage cancer, with benefits of up to 150% of the sum assured for advanced-stage cancer, subject to the policy terms and conditions. This financial support can help you manage medical expenses as well as everyday costs while you focus on your recovery.

3. The Booming Cost of Cancer Treatment

The cost of cancer treatment is growing significantly in view of the rapid growth of cancer diagnosis worldwide, as noted by Policybazaar.

Below are several factors that determine the diagnosis cost of cancer:

Stage of cancer. The late detection of cancer incurs higher treatment cost compared to it being discovered at an early stage.
Cost of hospital admission. Private hospitals generally charge more than public hospitals. Although they often provide greater convenience, shorter waiting times and enhanced facilities, these benefits usually come with higher overall treatment costs.
Duration of cancer treatment. The longer the duration of treatment, the higher the cost.
Recurrence of disease. Sometimes after cancer treatment, cancer returns. The cost may vary depending on the severity

In today’s world of continuous medical innovation, advances such as targeted therapy and immunotherapy have expanded the treatment options available for many cancer patients. While these breakthroughs have improved outcomes for certain cancers, they can also come with significant costs. Depending on the treatment plan, immunotherapy may cost hundreds of thousands of ringgit, making financial preparedness more important than ever.

For example, if an individual is diagnosed with Stage II breast cancer and requires surgery, chemotherapy, radiotherapy and follow-up care, the total cost of treatment at a private hospital can amount to hundreds of thousands of ringgit.

Without financial protection, these expenses may need to be paid using personal savings or other financial resources. With a critical illness plan like Etiqa Critical Care Plus, a lump-sum payout upon a covered cancer diagnosis can help ease the financial burden by supporting medical expenses, replacing lost income, or covering everyday living costs while the individual focuses on recovery.

Planning ahead with a critical illness plan means you’re financially better prepared for the unexpected. In general, purchasing coverage at a younger age and while you’re still healthy may also mean more affordable premiums, subject to the insurer’s underwriting terms.

4. Cancer Triggers Unforeseen Costs

Cancer treatment often requires months of surgery, chemotherapy, radiotherapy or ongoing follow-up care, making recovery a long-term journey. During this time, many patients may need to reduce their working hours or stop working altogether, resulting in a temporary loss of income.

For example, if a person earning RM5,000 a month is unable to work for six months while undergoing treatment and recovery, they could lose RM30,000 in income—before taking medical expenses into account. At the same time, regular household commitments such as mortgage or rent payments, utility bills, groceries and children’s education expenses continue.

In addition, some patients may require full-time assistance during recovery. Hiring a domestic helper or a trained caregiver to assist with daily activities can cost between RM800 and RM5,000 per month, depending on individual needs. There may also be additional expenses such as transportation to treatment appointments, rehabilitation, nutritional support and counselling services.

While medical insurance helps cover eligible hospital and treatment expenses, it generally does not replace lost income or cover many of these non-medical costs. A critical illness plan such as Etiqa Critical Care Plus provides a lump-sum payout upon a covered cancer diagnosis, giving you the financial flexibility to manage these expenses without relying solely on your savings.

5. Cancer Can Happen at Any Age — Early Coverage Means Lower Premiums

One of the most common misconceptions about cancer insurance is that it is only necessary for older Malaysians. In reality, the incidence of cancer among younger adults is increasing. According to the National Cancer Registry Malaysia, cancer affects people of all ages — and the earlier you secure a cancer insurance plan, the lower your monthly premium will be.

Purchasing a cancer insurance policy while you are young and healthy means you are more likely to qualify for coverage without exclusions, and you lock in a more affordable rate for the long term.

Waiting until a diagnosis occurs — or until symptoms appear — may mean you are unable to obtain coverage at all.

Frequently Asked Questions About Cancer Insurance

What is Etiqa Critical Care Plus?

Etiqa Critical Care Plus is a critical illness insurance plan in Malaysia that pays a lump sum cash benefit upon diagnosis of any of the 42 covered serious critical illnesses. It is a serious critical illness insurance solution linked to your EPF (KWSP) account, requiring no medical check-up and no cash payment. It is available to EPF members and their families (spouse and children).

What does Etiqa Critical Care Plus cover?

This critical illness insurance plan covers 42 types of critical illnesses, including but not limited to:

Cancer (with additional Cancer Care Benefit of 50% of sum insured)
Heart attack, coronary artery disease requiring surgery
Stroke, kidney failure, organ failure
Early-stage conditions (e.g. early cancer, angioplasty) — 10% payout
COVID-19, dengue, and communicable diseases (cash allowance of RM300)

Refer to the Product Disclosure Sheet in our website for the complete list of covered major critical illnesses.

Who is eligible for Etiqa Critical Care Plus?

This critical illness insurance plan is open to Malaysian EPF (KWSP) members and their families:

EPF Member	Age 17–65 (entry), covered to age 70
Spouse	Age 17–65 (entry), covered to age 70 or EPF member’s expiry, whichever is earlier
Children	14 days–16 years (entry), covered to age 25 or EPF member’s expiry

Non-Malaysians and non-EPF members are not eligible for this plan.

Is there a medical check-up required to apply?

No medical examination is required. You only need to answer a few simple health questions during the online sign-up via the KWSP i-Akaun portal. For children under 16, guaranteed approval applies; no health questions needed. This makes Etiqa Critical Care Plus one of the most accessible critical illness insurance plans in Malaysia.

Can I cover my whole family under Etiqa Critical Care Plus?

Yes. The Etiqa Critical Care Plus Family Package allows one EPF member to cover their spouse and up to 10 children under a single critical illness insurance policy. Each family member has their own sum insured and individual certificate. Premiums for all family members are deducted from the EPF member’s account. Each member’s claim does not affect others’ coverage.

Investing in criticial illness insurance is a step you can take for yourself and your family. While it may not be something many consider at a young age, it’s always best to be prepared — an unexpected cancer diagnosis can happen at any time and to anyone.

Everyone deserves to live life to the fullest. Take the first step to your long-term financial wellbeing with Etiqa Critical Care Plus today.

The information contained in this blog is provided for informational purposes only. It should not construed as advice on any matter. Etiqa accepts no responsibility for loss which may arise from reliance on information contained in the article. This information is correct as of 28th July 2026.

The benefit(s) payable under eligible product is/(are) protected by PIDM up to limits. Please refer to PIDM’s TIPS Brochure or contact Etiqa Life Insurance Bhd or PIDM (visit www.pidm.gov.my). | Member of PIDM

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