Research done in the UK has shown that men are 14% more likely to develop cancer than females in that country, as a result of bad diet and alcohol consumption.

 

Dr Rachel Thompson, deputy head of science for World Cancer Research Fund (WCRF), says this higher likelihood can be attributed mainly to males’ bad diet and alcohol consumption in the UK.

 

While it may seem that women get off relatively lightly in this regard, the facts clearly show that women are at a greater risk than ever before for illnesses such as cancer, diabetes, stroke, hypertension, osteoarthritis and, very importantly, heart disease.

 

Complicating things further is the highly prevalent and increasingly debilitating epidemic of obesity in South Africa, particularly among the country’s female population.

 

“Statistics show that 56% of women - more than one out of every two women - are classified as overweight or obese,” says Robyn Farrell, managing director of 1st for Women Insurance Brokers – the authority on all things female.

 

Even more worrying is that nearly 30% of South African women aged between 30 and 59 years are obese. What this equates to is that this age group of women (most likely at this age to be starting and raising families), are also the most overweight and therefore more predisposed to a slew of potentially fatal illnesses.

 

“The facts are sobering - South African women need to make sure that they are fighting fit and the healthiest they can possibly be. Although it is not necessarily top of a busy and stressed woman’s mind, it is vital that women ensure that they are well covered in terms of life insurance,” says Farrell.

 

Insuring your life means ensuring theirs

1st for Women Insurance Brokers offers a life insurance product specifically designed for women and their needs.  Planning properly for the well-being of one’s family is a gift one can leave in the event of death.

 

“Women are the lifeblood of our country. Their premature death affects not only the South African workforce and the economy, but all the potential younger drivers of the economy who rely on their mother’s support to develop their capabilities.

 

“We women owe it to ourselves, our children and our country to look after our health as rigorously as possible,” concludes Farrell.