How to Get Approved for Life Insurance After Ovarian Cancer
Posted in Cancer last updated on October 6, 2019Getting life insurance after surviving Ovarian Cancer is possible. Depending on the stage of
Ovarian cancer is a life-threatening disease. Luckily, when diagnosed early, it is curable. That makes finding affordable life insurance coverage possible and relatively easy so you have one less thing to worry about.
Read below to find how this type of cancer will be assessed by a life insurance underwriter. But first we start off with some basic information about ovarian cancer.
A Brief Overview of Ovarian Cancer
For the specifics on applying for life insurance after surviving ovarian cancer, skip to the next section.
What is Ovarian Cancer?
Ovarian cancer is exclusive to women. There are two ovaries, each located on either side of the uterus. The ovaries are about the size of an almond and perform two vital functions.
The first function of the ovaries is producing the eggs or ova used in the reproductive process. The second function is to produce vital female hormones such as estrogen and progesterone.
Ovarian cancer occurs when a cell in the ovary begins to develop and reproduce abnormally as a cancerous cell.
If detected early, and if the cancer is still contained and confined to the ovary, ovarian cancer can be treatable and even curable.
One of the problems associated with ovarian cancer is that it can be difficult to detect until it has spread to other associated areas of the female body such as the pelvis or the abdomen.
When this occurs, the cancer becomes life threatening. It can also be much more difficult to treat.
Doctors typically treat ovarian cancer with surgery and/or chemotherapy.
Symptoms of Ovarian Cancer
The early stages of ovarian cancer may have very mild or no symptoms at all. Although more advanced ovarian cancer may have non-specific symptoms which can be confused with other ailments. Such symptoms include abnormal menstruation, an irritable bowel or possibly a state of constipation.
Some of the few specific symptoms associated with ovarian cancer include:
- Unusual menstruation
- Swelling or bloating of the abdomen
- Feeling full after eating only a little bit of food
- Pelvic area discomfort
- Weight loss
- Bowel changes such as constipation
- Frequent urination
Some women have a genetic predisposition to ovarian cancer. Although only a small number of women have this genetic marker.
Types of Ovarian Cancer
Diagnoses of ovarian cancer falls into three different types. The location of the cells where cancer originates determines the type which is important for the life insurance company to determine the rates. The three most common types are:
- Epithelial Ovarian Cancer – if cancer originates in the epithelial cells which is the tissue that covers the ovaries and accounts for approximately 90% of all diagnosed ovarian cancer
- Stromal Tumors – occurs in those cells which produce female hormones
- Germ Cell Tumors – occurs in the cells that produce the eggs or ova and is more commonly found in younger women
Rating Factors for Life Insurance After Surviving Ovarian Cancer
These two following factors will get you the best rates for life insurance after surviving ovarian cancer. First, you must catch the cancer in one of the early stages. Second, you must be cancer free for one year. As a result, “Standard” is the best class for someone with ovarian cancer in their medical history.
Use the Instant Quote Tool on the right (or top on mobile) and change the Health Class to Standard to see what your rates might be if you or a loved one survived one of the early stages of ovarian cancer. As a rule, since this is the best possible class, your personal results may differ depending on medical history. Contact us directly to discuss which life insurance will be best for your situation.
Sometimes ovarian cancer can metastasize and spread to other areas outside of the ovaries. For survivors of this more advanced form of ovarian cancer, life insurance underwriters will rate on the following factors:
- the type of ovarian cancer
- grade
- stage
- response to treatment
- the length of time the patient has been cancer free
More advanced forms of this cancer often result in a less favorable rate class. Occasionally, insurance underwriters will decline coverage for very serious forms of ovarian cancer. But there are normally still options for life insurance after surviving ovarian cancer in its most serious stages. If this is the case, you may require a non-traditional form of life insurance such as a Guaranteed Issue or Graded Death insurance policy. In this case, you should discuss your situation with an independent agent like those at Abrams Insurance Solutions.
Information Required By Life Insurers to Rate Ovarian Cancer
The underwriter will require the following medical information to determine your rates:
- When was the cancer diagnosed?
- What was the stage/grade of the cancer?
- What is the FIGO score associated with the cancer?
- Did the cancer metastasize or spread outside the ovaries?
- How the cancer was treated?
- Has it re-occurred?
Finding Low-Cost Life Insurance with Ovarian Cancer
You can find low-cost approval for life insurance after surviving ovarian cancer simply by using an independent insurance agent such as you can find here at Abrams Insurance Solutions.
We have access to over 70 life insurance companies so we know which ones are the best life insurance companies and which are more lenient when it comes to issuing a policy for someone with ovarian cancer and other health-related conditions. And if we don’t get the cost we applied for, we may switch companies to get a better rate for you.
Click the links for information on other types, like thyroid or breast cancer.
Why You Should Call Abrams Insurance Solutions
We work with an underwriting advisor who is familiar with how each life insurance company prices a policy if you have ovarian cancer. After learning the specifics of your condition, we will use the knowledge of our advisor to apply with the insurance company that is most likely to approve you with the lowest rate on your policy. For more information, we have a quick questionnaire for the medical information we need to select the best companies for you.
There is no charge for this service. Our goal is to find you the best and lowest cost life insurance policy if you survived ovarian cancer or any other medical condition. Click here for our recommendations on how to save money on life insurance.
If you have any questions, concerns or need advice during the process of finding life insurance approval with ovarian cancer, or any other health-related concerns, then call us at 888-905-0333 today. We work for you and will help you find the best policy for your situation.
2 Comments
Tammy Fairley
I was diagnosed with stage 3 ovarian cancer on 2/5/15…the doctor removed the tumor and I also had a full hysterectomy, I went through an aggressive chemotherapy regimen and was in remission at the end of July 2015. During my visit in January, I learned that the cancer had metastasized to the stomach lining and lungs, i just completed my second round of chemotherapy and was told that i would most likely be on a maintenance drug the remainder of my life. Is there any company that you know of that would underwrite a life insurance policy for someone in my situation
Chris Abrams
Hi Tammy: Yes – you may have some options that will work for you. I will need to know your date of birth and also if you are working at this time? I will send you an email. Thank you for your inquiry.