Tchibo stops selling insurance with early cancer detection after criticism

Tchibo stops selling insurance with early cancer detection after criticism

According to a report from www.br.de, Tchibo has stopped selling an insurance company called “Krebs-Scan” after there was strong criticism of the product. The insurance, which was offered in collaboration with HanseMerkur, includes an annual blood test for cancer called PanTum Detect and, if necessary, further examinations such as positron emission tomography (PET/CT). The effectiveness of the test has been proven in more than 60 publications, including a study by the Hamburg-Eppendorf University Hospital. However, this study was strongly criticized by medical professors because it did not meet basic scientific standards and did not provide evidence that people could be better treated or cured. It was also revealed that the study was funded by the blood test's manufacturer, Zyagnum AG, which was not disclosed in the publication.

These events may have an impact on the cancer care and insurance market. The criticism and doubts about the effectiveness of the test could affect consumer trust in such insurance products. People may be hesitant to take out insurance based on a test that some experts question. This could lead to a decline in demand for cancer scan insurance and other similar products.

The criticism from the medical professors and the doubts about the study could also have an impact on HanseMerkur as an insurance company. Customers' trust in the seriousness and effectiveness of the company could be shaken, which could lead to a loss of customers and possible damage to its image.

It is also possible that the legal examination of the product by the consumer advice center's “Health Advertising Fact Check” project could lead to legal consequences for the providers. If advertising for the insurance product is deemed misleading or unfounded, legal action could be taken against the provider. This could lead to financial losses and a further loss of image for HanseMerkur.

Overall, the impact of these events on the market, consumers and the industry is currently difficult to estimate. It remains to be seen how HanseMerkur and other cancer prevention insurance providers respond to the criticism and doubts and whether they will take measures to regain consumer trust. It is also possible that regulators and supervisory bodies will take measures to prevent such incidents in the future and to monitor the quality and effectiveness of insurance products more closely.