I recently worked with a client who, seven years after his radical prostatectomy for prostate cancer, once again had a detectable and rising PSA. This news was discovered from the lab results on an insurance exam.
While his PSA wasn’t high, in the absence of a prostate, any level is a concern. He is now back in the hands of a urologist to determine if there has been a recurrence and what course of action needs to be taken. This put his life insurance on hold of course. As I’ve mentioned before, any PSA level above zero after a prostatectomy, will not be insured.
A recent Medical News Today article brought up a point not to be overlooked by anyone who has had prostate cancer and certainly to anyone who has been recently diagnosed. Bottom line is that a rather substantial survey has shown that a recurrence rate after a radical prostatectomy is significantly higher with surgeons who are less experienced with the procedure.
The good news is that the survivability is good in either case and that life insurance underwriters don’t underwrite the credentials of your surgeon, just the results. In most cases prostate cancer can be underwritten resulting in better than standard rates.
Bottom line. If you can, get the most experienced prostate surgeon. The good news is that the most experienced independent insurance agents are available for everyone.
This post is somewhat dated. Life insurance underwriting is changing and evolving continually. For more updated information check out some of the key word links. If you have a specific question or topic you need information for do a search. If you don’t find the answers you need contact me and we’ll make sure you get the information that is important to you.
My 20 years of experience give me the knowledge and leverage to find reasonably-priced life insurance for people who have been declined or are paying more than they need to.
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