Life Insurance with Basal or Squamous Cell Skin Cancer

In this article, we wanted to take a moment to answer some of the most common questions we get from folks applying for life insurance after having been diagnosed with Skin Cancer.

• Can I qualify for life insurance if I have been diagnosed with Skin Cancer?
• Why do life insurance companies care if I have been diagnosed with Skin Cancer?
• What kind of information will the insurance companies ask me or be interested in?
• What “rate” can I qualify for?
• What can I do to help ensure that I get the “best life insurance” for me?

So, without further ado, let’s dive right in!

Can I qualify for life insurance if I have been diagnosed with Skin Cancer?

Yes, individuals who have been diagnosed with skin cancer can and often will be able to qualify for a traditional term or whole life insurance policy. In fact, they may even be able to qualify for a Preferred rate when applying for a no exam term life insurance policy.

The problem is…

That the term “skin cancer” can be used to describe a variety of different conditions which can and often will be treated quite differently from one another by most of the top-rated life insurance companies, so it’s important to understand what “kind” of skin cancer you’ve been diagnosed with as well as the number of occasions/spots you were diagnosed with as well.

Why do life insurance companies care if I have been diagnosed with Skin Cancer?

It’s fair to say that any time an individual has been diagnosed with “cancer”, most (if not all) life insurance companies are going to want to know about it. This is why it shouldn’t surprise you that if you have been diagnosed with skin cancer in the past, you’re likely to be asked a few questions about it before being approved for a life insurance policy.

The good news is…

That because most skin cancers are easily detected and treated, the fact that you have been diagnosed with skin cancer in the past shouldn’t play a significant role (if any) in the outcome of your life insurance application.

This is, of course, once it has been determined that you are now cancer-free and that you don’t seem to be at “risk” for developing any future cancers later on.

That said however…

Because there are several different “types” of skin cancers that an individual can suffer from, and because these different types will be “approach differently by most life insurance companies, it makes sense to take a moment and review what kinds of skin cancers an individual might be diagnosed with. And just briefly discuss “how” a life insurance company is likely to view each type.

Skin Cancer Defined.

Skin cancer is a type of cancer that affects the skin, the body’s largest organ. It is caused by the abnormal growth of skin cells, which can occur when the skin is damaged by the sun or other sources of ultraviolet (UV) radiation. There are three main types of skin cancer: basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma, and melanoma.

The most common types of skin cancer will include:

• Basal Cell
• Squamous Cell
• Melanoma

Let’s take a closer look at each.

Basal cell carcinoma:

Basal cell carcinoma (BCC) is the most common type of skin cancer. It is a slow-growing cancer that typically occurs on areas of the skin that have been exposed to the sun, such as the face, neck, and hands. BCC is usually not aggressive or life-threatening, but it can be disfiguring if not treated promptly.

BCC usually appears as a small, pearly bump on the skin or as a flat, scaly patch. It may also appear as a sore that bleeds easily and does not heal. The bump or patch may be pink, red, or white, and it may be surrounded by a rim of normal-looking skin.

Treatment for BCC usually involves removing the cancerous cells with surgery or other procedures. Options may include:

• Excision: The cancerous cells are cut out with a scalpel.
• Curettage and electrodessication: The cancerous cells are scraped off with a curette and then destroyed with an electric current.
• Cryosurgery: The cancerous cells are frozen with liquid nitrogen.
• Photodynamic therapy: A light-sensitive solution is applied to the cancerous cells, which are then exposed to a special light.

The type of treatment that is most appropriate for you will depend on the size, location, and type of BCC that you have. Your dermatologist will be able to recommend the best treatment option for your individual situation.

Squamous Cell Carcinoma:

Squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) is a type of skin cancer that affects the squamous cells, which are the cells that make up the outer layer of the skin. It is a more serious type of skin cancer than basal cell carcinoma (BCC), and it has the potential to spread to other parts of the body if not treated promptly.

SCC usually appears as a rough, red patch or as a bump on the skin. It may also appear as a sore that does not heal or as a scaly, crusty patch. The patch or bump may be tender to the touch and may bleed easily.

SCC is often caused by exposure to UV radiation from the sun or other sources. It is more common in people with fair skin, but it can occur in people of any skin type. It is also more common in people who have been exposed to certain chemicals or who have compromised immune systems.

Treatment for SCC usually involves removing the cancerous cells with surgery or other procedures.

Treatment Options may include:

Excision: The cancerous cells are cut out with a scalpel.

Mohs surgery: The cancerous cells are removed layer by layer until all of the cancerous cells are gone.

Cryosurgery: The cancerous cells are frozen with liquid nitrogen.

Photodynamic therapy: A light-sensitive solution is applied to the cancerous cells, which are then exposed to a special light.

Non-Melanoma

Basal Cell Carcinomas and Squamous Cell Carcinomas are usually grouped together and will commonly be referred to as “non-melanoma skin cancers.”

Fortunately because both of these “types” of skin cancers normally appear on parts of an individual’s body which are exposed to frequent sunlight, they are also one’s that will usually get “noticed” early on which makes them highly treatable which is evident by the cure rate of nearly 99%!

Which is why…

These “types” of skin cancers will receive very positive receptions from most (if not all) life insurance companies. Where we may run into some difficulty is when the “type” of skin cell that is affected by cancer isn’t a basal or squamous cell.

Instead, it is a melanocyte, which is the type of cell that provides one’s pigmentation. In cases like these, the resulting cancer is called a Melanoma and is generally considered the “most dangerous” type of skin cancer of the three.

Melanoma:

Melanoma is a type of skin cancer that begins in the cells that produce pigment in the skin. It is the most serious and aggressive type of skin cancer, and it has the potential to spread to other parts of the body if not treated promptly.

Melanoma usually appears as a new mole or as a change in the appearance of an existing mole. It may be black, brown, or a variety of other colors, and it may be asymmetrical or have an irregular border. Other signs of melanoma may include a mole that is larger than usual, a mole that is changing in size or shape, or a mole that is painful or itchy.

Melanoma is often caused by exposure to UV radiation from the sun or other sources. It is more common in people with fair skin, but it can occur in people of any skin type. It is also more common in people who have a family history of melanoma, who have many moles, or who have previously had skin cancer.

When trying to diagnose these “types” of cancers, the ABCD rule is often quite helpful.

• • Asymmetry: does both halves of the mole match the other? If not, get it checked out!
  • Border: are the edges ragged or blurred? If so, get it checked out!
  • Color: Are there uneven shades of brown, black, tan red, white, or even blue? If so, get it to check out!
  • Diameter: Have you noticed any changes in size? If so, get it checked out!

Treatment for melanoma usually involves removing the cancerous cells with surgery or other procedures.

Treatment Options may include:

• Excision: The cancerous cells are cut out with a scalpel.
• Mohs surgery: The cancerous cells are removed layer by layer until all of the cancerous cells are gone.
• Cryosurgery: The cancerous cells are frozen with liquid nitrogen.
• Photodynamic therapy: A light-sensitive solution is applied to the cancerous cells, which are then exposed to a special light.

The type of treatment that is most appropriate for you will depend on the size, location, and type of melanoma that you have.

The good news is…

Even though these “types” of skin cancers are considered the more dangerous kinds because of their ability to “travel” to other parts of the body, they too experience a very high survival rate when diagnosed early.

“Which brings us to an important point that we think we ought to mention.”

First…

If you think you have a medical issue, don’t use us or the internet to diagnose yourself. After all, if you do and you’re correct, you’re still going to need to see the doctor, and if you’re wrong, the time you spend being your own doctor could really harm yourself!

Second…

Nobody here at IBUSA is medically trained, and we’re certainly not doctors. All we are is a bunch of life insurance agents who just happened to be really good at helping individuals find and qualify for the life insurance that they’re looking for. So please don’t mistake any of the medical information that we talk about as medical advice because it’s not!

We’re just…

Trying to “prep” you for what it might be like to apply for a life insurance policy after being diagnosed with skin cancer… that’s it! This brings us to our next topic, which is…

What kind of information will the insurance companies ask me or be interested in?

When you apply for life insurance, the insurance company will ask you to provide detailed information about your medical history and overall health. If you have been diagnosed with skin cancer, the insurance company will be interested in the following types of information:

• The type of skin cancer you have: There are three main types of skin cancer: basal cell carcinoma (BCC), squamous cell carcinoma (SCC), and melanoma. Each type has different characteristics and treatment options, and the insurance company will want to know which type you have.
• The stage of your skin cancer: The stage of your skin cancer refers to how advanced it is. The insurance company will want to know whether your skin cancer is in an early or advanced stage, as this can affect your prognosis and treatment options.
• The treatment you have received: The insurance company will want to know what treatment you have received for your skin cancer, including surgery, radiation therapy, or chemotherapy. They will also want to know the results of your treatment, such as whether your cancer is in remission or whether it has returned.
• Your overall health: The insurance company will want to know about any other medical conditions you have and any medications you are taking. They will also want to know about your lifestyle habits, such as whether you smoke or whether you engage in regular physical activity.
• Your family medical history: The insurance company may ask about the medical history of your family members, as some medical conditions, including skin cancer, can have a genetic component.

It is important to be honest and accurate when answering these questions, as providing false or misleading information on a life insurance application can invalidate your policy

What “rate” can I qualify for?

Generally, what you’re going to find is that when it comes to an understanding what kind of “rate” an individual might be able to qualify for after being diagnosed with skin cancer, most clients are typically going to fall into one of two different categories.

The first category…

Will be those who have been diagnosed with a “non-melanoma” type of skin cancer, which will include both Squamous Cell Carcinoma and Basal Cell Carcinoma and those who have been diagnosed with a Melanoma.

For those…

Who will qualify for the “non-melanoma” category, what you’ll usually find is that their diagnoses of skin cancer usually won’t play any kind of significant role (if any), in the outcome of their life insurance application. This is of course, provided that they are no longer receiving any kind of treatment for their condition, and they have been ruled “cancer-free”.

Or, in other words…

For many individuals who have been diagnosed with a “non-melanoma” skin cancer lesion, the “rate” that you would have been able to qualify for PRIOR to your diagnosis may be the same “rate” that you would be able to qualify for AFTER your diagnosis.

 Now…

As for those who have actually been diagnosed with a Melanoma, what you’re going to find is that they too may be able to qualify for a traditional term or whole life insurance policy, only now they may need to wait a minimum of 2 years from their last date of treatment before being considered eligible.

Additionally…

Because melanomas tend to metastasize, it’s quite possible that what may have started as “skin cancer” has now become more of a systemic problem.

This is why…

It’s pretty much next to impossible to know for sure what “kind” of rate you might be able to qualify for or even if you will be able to qualify for a traditional term or whole life insurance policy at this time without first speaking with you directly and learning more about your situation.

The good news is…

That regardless of your situation, we here at IBUSA can help because we have tons of experience helping folks with all sorts of pre-existing medical conditions like yours. And we are committed to helping all of our clients find the “best” life insurance policy that they can qualify for. This brings us to the last topic that we wanted to take a moment and discuss, which is…

What can I do to help ensure that I get the “best life insurance” for me?

In our experience here at IBUSA, we have found that usually, the folks who seem to find the “best” life insurance policy for them are those that:

• Take their time reviewing their options.
• Ask a lot of questions.

And seek out those life insurance agents who not only have experience working with individuals who have been diagnosed with a wide variety of pre-existing medical conditions but also have access to dozens of different life insurance companies so that when it comes time to helping a more “challenging” case, they don’t have to rely on a…

“One size fits all approach!”

The good news is that this is exactly what you’re going to find here at IBUSA!

Now, will we be able to help out everyone who has been previously diagnosed with Skin Cancer?

No, probably not. But what we can tell you is that in addition to offering a wide variety of different term and whole life insurance policies, IBUSA has also worked very hard to establish relationships with many of the Best Burial Life Insurance Companies as well so that if someone isn’t able to qualify for a traditional life insurance policy, chances are there may be some other “type” of product that you CAN qualify for.

So, if you’re ready to see what options might be available to you, just give us a call!