The results underwriters look at
Prostate cancer is described by its Gleason score or grade group, which shows how abnormal the cells look under the microscope, and by its stage, which shows whether it has spread beyond the prostate. Insurers ask for both, along with your PSA level at diagnosis.
Your PSA after treatment is just as important. A very low or undetectable PSA after surgery, or a low and stable level after radiotherapy, gives the insurer confidence that treatment worked. A PSA that is rising again leads to more questions.
- Gleason score or grade group
- Stage at diagnosis
- PSA at diagnosis and since treatment
- Treatment type and dates
- Any rise in PSA or further treatment
Active surveillance and treatment
Many men with low-risk prostate cancer are monitored with regular PSA tests, MRI scans and sometimes repeat biopsies rather than treated straight away. Insurers ask how long you have been on surveillance and whether results have stayed stable. Some are comfortable with this, while others prefer to wait.
If you had surgery (a prostatectomy), radiotherapy, brachytherapy or hormone therapy, give the dates and say whether you are still having any treatment. Side effects such as continence problems rarely affect life cover, though they may be relevant to income protection.
The outcomes you could see
Low-risk prostate cancer on stable surveillance, or fully treated with a good PSA response, can lead to standard terms or a loading, depending on the insurer and how long ago treatment ended. Higher-grade or advanced cancer, a rising PSA or very recent treatment may mean a postponement or decline.
Critical illness cover usually excludes prostate cancer, or all cancers, after a diagnosis. Some insurers may still cover heart attack, stroke and other illnesses, which can still be valuable.
Declare PSA tests and biopsies
If you have had a raised PSA, a biopsy or an MRI of the prostate, declare it even if no cancer was found. Insurers will see these tests in your records, and a clear result supports your application rather than harming it.
An enlarged prostate without cancer is very common in later life and usually does not affect life cover, though the insurer may ask about symptoms and medication. Give your most recent PSA result if you know it.
If you have regular PSA checks because of a family history, mention the most recent results if the form asks about tests. Routine monitoring with stable readings is generally seen as sensible health care, and clear results can count in your favour.
How Hi Tomorrow helps after prostate cancer
Insurers vary in how they assess prostate cancer, especially men on active surveillance. We collect your PSA history, Gleason score and treatment dates, then approach insurers on our panel that tend to view your situation fairly.
If you are postponed, we tell you why and roughly when an application would be worth repeating. We can also look at whether existing cover you hold could pay out under its critical illness terms.