Having any form of cancer usually complicates one’s prospect of attaining the best life insurance rate possible. However, with improvements in technology and decreasing mortality rates for various forms of cancer, such as prostate, life insurances policies may become more readily available and affordable. To better understand one’s prospects for attaining prostate cancer life insurance, it could be important to understand a few simple facts first.
The Basics
Currently, prostate cancer is one of the leading forms of cancer in men. It is typically linked to old age, as it is not even recommended to start testing for it before the age of 50, or 45 for high-risk individuals. Some high-risk individuals include African-American men and those who have had close relatives develop the disease.
Factors affecting Your Prostate Cancer Life Insurance Rate
There are several variables that could either increase or decrease your chances of attaining the best life insurance rate possible as a prostate cancer patient or survivor. First, underwriters typically tend to give some of the best rates to those who were diagnosed with the diagnosed at a later age, with the best options potentially given to those diagnosed after the age of 60. The second factor, Prostate Specific Antigen (PSA) level is tested through a blood test. Typically, the higher the level, the higher one’s risk is of being diagnosed with prostate cancer. Levels over 10ng/ml usually result in the most cases of prostate cancer. Third, the stage of the cancer is typically analyzed. Those who suffered from either stage 1 or 2 prostate cancers may find prostate cancer life insurance more readily available than for those who suffered with a higher stage cancer that may have spread. Fourth, one’s Gleason Score, or the level of aggressiveness of the cancer, should typically be no more than a 6. Fifth, the method of treatment is evaluated, with most underwriters for prostate cancer life insurance preferring surgical removal of the tumor to other methods of treatment. Finally, the length of time since treatment was completed may also be considered because many insurance companies may want to see that you effectively battled the condition and it is not coming back. Life insurance for cancer survivors is readily available and those who had lower stages of the disease can usually apply for it only 6 months after completing successful treatment.
How to Begin Your Search
The first thing you may want to consider as a prostate cancer patient is to contact a life insurance specialist who works with people in similar situations. He or she could be able to analyze your individual case thoroughly and effectively, so that you may be able to find affordable prostate cancer life insurance. Find out more about finding a credible agent with the article “Tips for Choosing a Life Insurance Agent.” Make sure to have all the information about your individual case on hand, such as your PSA levels, Gleason score, and information about your treatment method, so that insurance companies can assess whether or not they will be able to underwrite prostate cancer life insurance for you. There are definitely companies that might underwrite prostate cancer; it is just up to you to do your due diligence in finding the company that could give you the best policy possible!
