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I Have Had Prostate Cancer, Can I Get Life Insurance?

Life insurance at age 55.
Insurance Quotes 2 Day Team

Written By Doug Mitchell

Doug Mitchell, CLU holds a BA degree in Finance from Auburn University, a Chartered Life Underwriter (CLU) designation from The American College in Bryn Mahr, PA and Top of the Table member of the Million Dollar Round Table (MDRT). Doug has spent close to 30 years in the insurance and financial planning industry and has held licenses to sell securities, long-term care insurance, health.  Doug is also a financial blogger addressing the topics of life insurance, annuities and retirement income planning.

Holly Mitchell  &

Holly Mitchell’s background in life insurance insurance goes back to 1985 when she worked for her father who was a New York Life agent. Holly has a marketing degree from Auburn University and has had a life insurance license since 2008. In addition to advising life insurance for customers all around the country, Holly is our website fact checker.

Rob Pinner   &

Rob Pinner is the founder and CEO of Pinner Financial Services servicing all 50 states. Rob started his insurance career in 2002.

Louis LaBash

Results-driven and innovative life insurance professional with 30 plus years of life insurance industry sales and marketing experience. Recognized as a pioneer in the field, leveraging phone and internet channels to exceed personal sales of over $100 million during the first decade of the 21st century. Creator of a highly effective intuitive IUL life insurance sales software that facilitated the sale of millions of dollars of indexed universal policies by numerous life insurance agents. Proven track record as a Managing General Agent (MGA), Life Agent, IUL Life Insurance Sales Software developer, and leading-edge creator of insurance marketing tools, educational content, and delivery systems.

 4 minute read

Prostate cancer is the number two most common cancer in American men, behind skin cancer. It is estimated that one in seven men will be affected by this disease at some point in their life. The Prostate Cancer Foundation estimates that 3 million men in the U.S. have prostate cancer, over 27,000 will die from the disease this year, and the risk is highest among men who have one or two first degree relatives (father, brother, son) who have had the disease. A diagnosis of prostate cancer can be scary.

So I get the question a lot.  I have had prostate cancer, can I get life insurance?  Yes you can!  Use the quoter on this page to get your instant quote.

Also according to the Prostate Cancer Foundation, the prognosis for men with prostate cancer has improved steadily for decades. Because approximately 90% of all prostate cancers are detected in the local and regional stages, the cure rate for prostate cancer is very high—nearly 100% of men diagnosed at this stage will be disease-free after five years. By contrast, in the 1970s, only 67% of men diagnosed with local or regional prostate cancer were disease-free after five years.

I Have Had Prostate Cancer, Can I Get Life Insurance?

If you have prostate cancer, securing the life insurance you need to protect your family may be more challenging, but it is not an impossible task. The underwriting processes insurance companies employ to evaluate the individual circumstances of their clients reflect improvements in the survivability rates of diseases like prostate cancer.

Clients are placed in risk categories according to the results of the underwriting process. The names and number of these categories vary between insurance providers but are typically along the lines of ‘preferred’, ‘standard’ and ‘substandard’.

Clients with more common, treatable forms of prostate and other cancers can often receive a ‘standard’ or ‘preferred’ rating. When confronted with a serious health dilemma like a prostate cancer diagnosis many people instantly think of their loved ones and their future.

When considering a client with prostate cancer (or who has survived prostate cancer) and deciding on that client’s risk classification, insurance companies will be concerned with a number of questions.

At What Age Were You First Diagnosed With Prostate Cancer?

Prostate cancer is relatively rare for younger men but more common in older men. Life insurance companies are therefore more concerned when a man is diagnosed at a younger age than if he is older. If you were diagnosed at 40 and have been treated recently, you may have to wait to be approved. If you are diagnosed at age 60 with a low grade prostate cancer and have been successfully treated, you may get coverage immediately after your treatment.

How Has Your Prostate Cancer Been Treated?

When evaluating any health problem, insurance companies will pay very close attention to how you have managed and treated your illness. Clients who have taken steps personally and medically to take care of their condition are much more likely to fall into a  standard or preferred category of insurability. There are many treatments for prostate cancer including surgery, chemotherapy, hormone therapy and radiation therapy. Life insurance underwriters generally favor surgical removal, as this indicates early detection before the cancer has spread and other treatments such as chemotherapy were necessary. If these other treatments are used, clients are sometimes delayed for 2-3 years to ensure the success of the treatment.

What Is Your Gleason Score?

Gleason scores range from 2 to 10 and measure the likelihood that your prostate cancer will spread. Higher Gleason scores indicate more aggressive cancer and generally lead to a poor risk classification.

What Stage Is (or was) Your Prostate Cancer?

The stage of your cancer measures how much the cancer has spread. Cancer that is centralized and more easily treated results in a favorable risk classification.

What was your PSA (Prostate-specific antigen) assessment when you were diagnosed and what is your most recent PSA assessment?

PSA is a substance produced by your prostate and elevated levels indicate an increased chance that prostate cancer is present.

Do you have any other major health problems?

Do You Have High Cholesterol Or Hypertension? Are You Overweight?

Comparing premiums from a variety of insurance carriers is especially important if health complications exist. Each insurance company has their own underwriting guidelines and rates can vary significantly. Ogletree Financial Services represents many reputable insurance companies.

This means we can access a variety of insurance products to secure the best rates for each clients’ personal circumstances and life insurance needs.  Many people are surprised at the affordability of quality life insurance coverage.

Taking your Next Steps

Being diagnosed with prostate cancer can turn your life upside down. It changes just about every part of your life, including your life insurance needs.

You’re a busy person, why spend your time going through each and every carrier to determine which one is cheapest? We work with prostate cancer survivors regularly.

Give us a call at 1-800-712-8519 or use the term quoter on this page to get your free quote.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I get life insurance if I had prostate cancer?

When considering a client with prostate cancer (or who has survived prostate cancer) and deciding on that client’s risk classification, insurance companies will be concerned with a number of questions.
– At what age was your prostate cancer first diagnosed?
– How has your prostate cancer been treated?
– What is your Gleason score?
– What stage is (was) your prostate cancer?

Will an insurance company insure me with prostate cancer?

If you have prostate cancer, securing the life insurance you need to protect your family may be more challenging, but it is not an impossible task. The underwriting processes insurance companies employ to evaluate the individual circumstances of their clients reflect improvements in the survivability rates of diseases like prostate cancer. Get in touch with a qualified life insurance agent to get your questions answered.

How much will my premium be if I have prostate cancer?

Clients are placed in risk categories according to the results of the underwriting process. The names and number of these categories vary between insurance providers but are typically along the lines of ‘preferred’, ‘standard’ and ‘substandard’. Clients with more common, treatable forms of prostate and other cancers can often receive a ‘standard’ or ‘preferred’ rating. Consult an experienced life insurance agent to help answer your questions.

author avatar
Doug Mitchell, CLU Independant Advisor
Doug Mitchell, CLU holds a BA degree in Finance from Auburn University as well as having obtained a Chartered Life Underwriter (CLU) designation from The American College in Bryn Mahr, PA. Doug has spent almost 30 years in the life insurance industry and has also held licenses to sell securities, long-term care insurance and home and auto insurance. Doug is a Top of the Table Million Dollar Round Table member (MDRT).  MDRT is a global, independent association of the world's leading life insurance advisors.  For two years, Doug served as President of the Auburn Opelika Association of Financial Advisors and has been a member of the Million Dollar Round Table. He obtained Life Millionaire status at Horace Mann Insurance Company and was awarded the Life Agent of the Year Award. Later in his career with New York Life he was an Executive Council Member. Doug currently serves as President of Ogletree Financial, a managing general agency serving life insurance agents and clients in all parts of the United States. Today, Doug’s main focus is servicing 1000s of policyholders.

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