Prostate Cancer and Life Insurance
Each year in the U.S. roughly 240,000 men are diagnosed with prostate cancer, according to the American Cancer Society (ACS). And for most new patients, decisions about which treatment to have or whether or not to even be treated at all are not clear-cut. It also makes many review their life insurance. Unfortunately most believe they will not be able to afford life insurance after treatment.
Prostate cancer treatments include surgery to remove the prostate gland, external radiation, cryotherapy (in which the tumor is treated by freezing it), radioactive seed implants, chemotherapy, hormone therapy, and watchful waiting. Seed implants, also called brachytherapy, are small radioactive pellets about the size of a grain of rice. The pellets are implanted into the prostate; they deliver radiation to the prostate cancer from the inside.
The life insurance industry for the most part is not to overly aggressive to taking risk given this disease. Although, there are life insurance companies that will write a prostate cancer survivor provided the gleason score is 6 or less, pre psa did not exceed 15 and post psa is relatively undetectable with one year post treatment in effect. There is a carrier that will consider Preferred rates subject to full medical underwriting of course. There are a few carriers that will write a survivor with a gleason score of 7.
Patients should learn as much as they can about their treatment options and
make a decision that is best for them. When it comes to their life
insurance, don't assume the cost will be prohibitive. As for life insurance
options be sure to speak with an agent that specializes in dealing with
adverse medical history that can have an effect on your premium cost.
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