CANCER & LIFE INSURANCE ~ UNDERWRITING ISSUES Cancer and Life Insurance    If you have a history of Cancer, a broker may still be able to help you obtain life or critical illness insurance - although maybe not on standard terms. There are some critical factors involved that will determine your ability to obtain coverage & your information is always treated with the utmost privacy by the insurer or broker. If however you have not cancer but looking now for comprehensive cover to insure youself in the event of critical illness diagnosis of cancer - then we can help you with a competitive Critical Illness Life Insurance Quote  Critical Illness Insurance Comparison Tables What Type of Cancer ? The term "Cancer" covers a great multitude of conditions from a small skin growth to more aggressive terminal cancers. Each individual will have personal circumstances and Uk life insurance companies will want to gather as much information as possible before making an underwriting decision. Breast Cancer & Life Insurance  - The most common type of cancer affecting women in the UK. There have been great diagnostic and treatment advances over the last few years with 5 years survival rates compare favourably with other cancers, at over 70%, and rising. Over 40,000+ new Uk cases being diagnosed each year. Hodgkin's Disease & Life Insurance  - A malignant disease of lymphatic tissues evidenced by the enlargement of one or more groups of lymph nodes. Hodgkin's Disease refers to malignant tumours of the lymphatic system. There are various stages and degrees of severity of this condition, and diagnosis usually includes lymph biopsies and removal of the spleen. The lymphatic system is the network of lymph glands and channels which occurs throughout the body. This collects lymph - fluid that bathes all the body cells. The lymph system is also a very important part of the immune system, which keeps the body free of infection. Treatment depends on the staging and may include radiotherapy or chemotherapy or a combination of the two. Leukaemia & Life Insurance  - Leukaemia is a form of cancer of the white blood cells. These are the cells that fight infection in the body. There are different types of leukaemia depending on which type of blood cell is affected. There are two main groups of leukaemias - acute (more aggressive) and chronic (where sufferers may live for years). In both groups, treatments have improved dramatically and complete cures may be achieved. Lung Cancer & Life Insurance  - Cancers of the lungs are some of the most aggressive of all cancers. 5-year Uk survival rates are as low as 5% and this may make it extremely difficult to arrange life insurance for anyone who has ever been diagnosed. Prostate Cancer & Life Insurance  - Every year over 15,000 men in the UK are diagnosed with prostate cancer. It is currently the 3'rd most common form of cancer to affect British men, striking an average of 1 in 12 during their lifetime. Early diagnosis may improve the chances of a full recovery. Skin Cancer & Life Insurance  - Malignant melanomas are a tumour of the cells that produce melanin, the pigment that colours the skin, the hair and the iris of the eyes. Skin melanomas occur most frequently in people who are middle-aged or older. They are becoming more common - the incidence of malignant melanoma has increased over the past 30 years. Non-melanoma skin cancers can sometimes get ordinary rates for life insurance. Cancer & Life Insurance Underwriting In all cases, this will probably include Doctor's and Specialist consultant's reports to ascertain; 1) the type of cancer: 2) when the cancer first/last occurred: 3) how far advanced the cancer is/was: 4) Cancer treatment received: 5) what the current situation is. Likely life insurance underwriting decisions for various cancers as above. The better the treatment and the varied types of cancers, the 'staging system' (0 -4, 4 being the most serious cancer) and the individual Uk life insurance providers attitudes - all add to complicate the overall underwriting processes. Stage 1 - Likely to be possibly accepted soon after treatment, but also likely to incur a higher monthly medical loadings on premium costs. Stage I or 2 - Decision maybe deferred for 1 to 5 years after treatment, then only with higher temporary medical loadings on premiums. Premiums are likely to reduce from year 6 to 10 after treatment, to near normal. Stage 3 - Decision maybe deferred for 5 years after treatment, then only with even higher, temporary medical loadings on premiums. Stage 4 - Likely to be declined by an Insurer currently. Note non-disclosure of your actual Cancer  history wether actual, suspected or benign, may make any plan claim void & the insurer is not obliged to refund any premiums paid if this was deliberately not disclosed.  What do Uk Life Insurance Companies look for - when Underwriting a History of Cancer ? It would depend on the type of Cancer and its severity as mentioned above. For Life or Critical lllness Cover most Uk insurers would view each case on an individual basis before making a decision. However the likely decision for all types of cover maybe a substantial premium rating or decline. Note that decisions may vary quite dramatically between insurers so please contact us for help & advice. History - What happened in the past? How severe is the problem now & how does this affect you day to day? Medical Records - What do your medical records say about you?  Have you developed medical problems as a result of Cancer ?  If you have already developed associated problems as a result of Cancer, many companies may probably decline people looking for cancer insurance.   Treatment - Have you been for Cancer patient treatment. What is you current level of staging ?   Family History - Do you parents or brothers or sisters have a history of Cancer also?  If so what type do they have ? For help with Cancer issues why not visit  www.cancerresearch.org or www.macmillan.org.uk * ( * Note: You are now leaving the regulated site of Uk Life Insurance Quotes. Neither ourselves, nor Sesame Ltd, is responsible for the accuracy of the information contained within the linked site.)  Have Cancer & looking in 2010 to compare Life Insurance products against other Uk Insurers - including Life cover, decreasing (mortgage protection) or level term life insurance, Life with Critical Illness and Income Protection.  > Need a Competitive Life or Critical Illness Insurance Quote ?