Life Insurance

Hi Jumping Jack,

Sorry that you have had to join this group, but you will find that everyone is truly amazing & more than happy to help with any questions you may have.

Whilst I can't specifically answer this question about life insurance companies, I would have thought you might be best using a broker who would have more information about which companies were best suited.

I'm sure others will be along shortly who may be able to give you more specific information.

Best Wishes

Brian

Hello Jack (Jumping Jack) 

A warm welcome to the Macmillan Online Prostate Community - although I am so sorry to find you here. I am Brian one of the Community Champions here at Macmillan.

It's been quite a while since someone asked that question - I have run a search and can't find the post, however I do remember the poster was having issues finding cover. I would think it will be a bit like travel insurance where it's almost impossible to get cover until you have a formal diagnosis and a treatment plan.

A few ideas come to mind - 

* We have a forum for travel insurance - here's the link Travel insurance forum for cancer patients it's possible some of the insurance companies providing travel insurance may provide life insurance.

* You could try giving the Support Line a call on 0808 808 00 00 (8am to 8pm 7 days a week).

* You could post your question here - Cancer chat forum where members of other groups will see it.

I hope this helps.

Best wishes - Brian.

Hi Jumping Jack good to meet you and feel free to ask any questions.  Hopefully others will be along, but my initial thought is ‘what is your diagnosis’.  If your PCa is deemed curable you possibly have a chance of getting Life Assurance but if your PCa is on an incurable pathway, then your chances are virtually nil.  Any Insurance company is looking at the probable life expectancy at your age, obviously any illness that potentially might impact that forecast will dramatically affect the premiums.  Just my thoughts but hope this helps.  David

Hi Brian, thank you for advance. I hadn't thought about a broker.

Hi David, My diagnosis is good (not sure what PCa means this is all new to me).

My Gleson score is 3+4 which I'm told is good. I have 2 options 

1) don't touch it, but have 3 monthly check ups on my psa levels 

2) have an operation to remove the cancer (possible side effects of incontinence and erectile dysfunction which i should hopefully recover from in time).

I'm still trying to weigh up the pros and cons of each. Thats why I'm wondering if I just sit tight with option 1 will it make it difficult to get life insurance. 

If I go for option 2, how long would i have to wait before the insurance companies would deem me safe or will they never think that.

Thank you for the advice. I will take a look.

Hi again Jumping Jack , ok so your initial diagnosis is good and you have ‘curable’ PCa (prostate cancer).  My personal view is if you are active surveillance you probably have a good chance of getting Life Assurance.  Once you start on treatment, your chances would decrease but again once you are all clear, your chances would probably be ok again.  All of this is my personal opinion, but I think the advice about talking to a broker is probably sound.  David

Hello Jack (Jumping Jack) 

So in reply to your message to David PCa is the correct abbreviation for Prostate Cancer.

Your options for treatment are more open than the 2 you have been given and here's two more:

Brachytherapy - link here - Brachytherapy for Prostate Cancer

and

HT/RT - link here - Hormone Therapy for Prostate Cancer

Folk on here will know I am not a fan of Active Surveillance (it will need treating - get it done whilst you are young and fit before it grows).

Brachytherapy isn't always offered as not every health authority offers it but you are entitled to it.

There's also this fantastic guide to help you on your journey:

FIGHTING PROSTATE CANCER - A Survival Guide by Dr Jyoti Shah

We are all here for you ant there's plenty of advice available from people who have "been there - got the T Shirt" - no question is too trivial.

Best wishes - Brian.

Hi Brian, i was under the impression that an operation to remove the cancer wasn;t always necessary as the cancer may not grow and that monitoring it might be all that was necessary. Only if it gets worse would an operation be necessary. is that wrong?

Hello Jack (Jumping Jack) 

You are correct - the operation isn't always necessary. just looking at your first post with a Gleason 7 (3+4) you said you had been given the option of 3 monthly check ups (PSA Tests) or Surgery. I added the other 2 choices - Brachytherapy and HT/RT as you hadn't been offered them but they would be available to you.

Here's a link to our guide to Active Surveillance

Active Surveillance

I don't like active surveillance (this is my personal opinion not Macmillan policy) as once you have a cancer diagnosis it's not going away and I am aware of people who have gone from AS to incurable.

Feel free to ask any questions, we are all happy to help.

Best wishes - Brian.