Speak with an experienced advisor! If you have been diagnosed with basal cell carcinoma, you may be wondering about basal cell carcinoma life insurance eligibility. Getting life insurance with basal cell carcinoma is possible if you have the right insurance agent and insurance company.
In this article, we will offer some background on basal cell carcinoma, the underwriting process for life insurance for basal cell carcinoma, and if you can get approved for life insurance with basal cell carcinoma.
What is basal cell carcinoma (BCC)?
Basal cell carcinomas are abnormal growths or lesions that grow within the skin’s basal cells. Your basal cells are in the deepest layer of the epidermis (the outermost layer of your skin). BCC’s look like:
- Open sores
- Pink growths
- Red patches
- Black growths
- Shiny “pearly” bumps
- Flesh colored mole
- Pimple that doesn’t go away
- Slightly scaly growths
- Waxy, hard skin growth
- Scar-like appearance
Basal cell carcinomas are often fragile and may bleed easily.
Basal cell carcinomas result from sun exposure. BCC can result from cumulative sun exposure, intense sun exposure (sunburn), or even occasional some exposure.
Is BCC a tumor?
Yes. Basal cell carcinomas rarely spread (metastasize) beyond the original tumor site. BCC should not, however, be taken lightly, as in rare cases, it can spread to other parts of your body and become a life-threatening illness. BCC can be disfiguring if not treated correctly and promptly.
How common is BCC?
Basal cell carcinoma is diagnosed in more than 4 million people annually in the United States. It is the most frequently occurring form of cancer in the United States. More than one out of every three newly diagnosed cancers in the United States is skin cancer; the majority of skin cancers are BCC.
What causes basal cell carcinoma?
Ultraviolent (UV) rays from the sun or tanning beds are the most frequent cause of basal cell carcinoma. When the skin is exposed to UV rays over time, the DNA within your skin is damaged. This DNA damage within the skin may cause cancer to form.
What is the survivability basal cell carcinoma?
Although BCC is a cancer, it has one of the highest survivability rates of all cancer.
How is BCC medically treated?
BCC’s are treated in many different ways:
- Cutting out the tumor – the doctor will perform an “excision” to remove the tumor. This means the doctor will surgically remove the tumor, while trying to leave the normal skin around the tumor. This will cause a scar, which your doctor will try to minimize.
- Using electricity – your doctor will use a needle-like device to control bleeding and kill the cancer cells with the electric vehicle.
- Freezing cancer cells – “cryosurgery” is where the doctor kills cancer cells on your body by freezing them with liquid nitrogen.
- Radiation treatment – this BCC treatment uses x-rays to destroy the cancerous cells and is performed over several weeks.
- Creams and pills – your doctor may prescribe medicines to treat your basal cell carcinoma. The two most common medications prescribed are fluorouracil (5-FU) and imiquimod.
Preventing basal cell carcinoma
There are many ways to help prevent BCC and minimize your chances of being diagnosed with BCC:
- Check your skin – be aware of what is going on with your body and check your skin frequently for any changes or growths.
- Avoid sun exposure – the more you are exposed to the sun, the higher the chance you will get BCC. Avoid sun exposure during the strongest daylight hours from 10 AM to 2 PM; this is when the sun’s UV burning rays are most intense.
- Use sunscreen – UVA rays from the sun are present all day. Wearing sunscreen daily will help minimize your chances of getting BCC.
- Wear protective clothing – a broad-brimmed hat and long sleeve shirts and pants help prevent unnecessary exposure to the sun’s UVA rays.
Will I be able to get life insurance if I have basal cell carcinoma?
Yes, there are life insurance options with basal cell carcinoma. Because any form of cancer is a serious medical problem, the life insurance companies will review your basal cell carcinoma condition and the rest of your health information carefully before issuing a life insurance policy.
What kind of life insurance will I be able to purchase with basal cell carcinoma?
Term Life Insurance – Most forms of cancer such as breast cancer, pancreatic cancer or squamous cell carcinoma will eliminate your ability to purchase term life insurance. Basal cell carcinoma is a treatable form of skin cancer that is looked at more favorably than other cancer types.
You should be able to qualify for most term life insurance policies up to a standard health rating.
Guaranteed Issue Whole Life (GIWL) – This insurance is available to basal cell carcinoma survivors. GIWL policies have lower death benefits (face value) and a graded period (1-2 years) before you are eligible for the guaranteed death benefit. During this graded period, most life insurance companies return your premium (with 8-10% interest) if a death occurs.
If the insured were to die of an accident in the two-year graded period, the life insurance policy would pay out the full death benefit.
Guaranteed Issue Term Life (GITL) – This insurance is available to basal cell carcinoma patients and survivors. GITL policies come in two face amounts – $25,000 and $50,000. Just like GIWL, there is a two-year graded period before you are eligible for the guaranteed death benefit. If the death occurred during this graded period, either a return of premium or a percentage of the face amount would be paid to the beneficiaries.
Accidental death insurance (AD) – this insurance is also available to basal cell carcinoma patients and survivors. Although this coverage is available and is very affordable, AD life insurance may be a secondary choice to any other life insurance options available.
In ages 18 through 45, accidental death is the number one cause of death. So, even though you have basal cell carcinoma, you also have a statistically high chance of dying in an accident driving back and forth to the hospital for treatment of your basal cell carcinoma.
Depending on your tolerance for risk, a GIWL, GITL, or AD policy may be an appropriate life insurance option for you with your basal cell carcinoma diagnosis.
Who should I purchase my life insurance from?
Basal cell carcinoma is a unique health condition that requires a life insurance agent to be knowledgeable in underwriting procedures and practices. Most life insurance agents have not written life insurance policies for basal cell carcinoma patients and survivors.
You will want an agent who has worked with basal cell carcinoma life insurance candidates, who has researched insurance company eligibility, and who has spoken with underwriters about this medical condition in the past.
At Life-Wealth-Win, we are uniquely qualified to help you purchase life insurance if you have basal cell carcinoma.
What are my first steps to purchase life insurance if I have basal cell carcinoma?
Your first step would be to call us so we can understand your entire medical history. We must know your age, height, weight, medical problems, prescriptions, and other items asked on your life insurance application.
After gathering all your information, we will approach insurance company underwriters with your information to see who will offer you the most life insurance coverage at the best rates.
When should I purchase life insurance with basal cell carcinoma?
The earlier you purchase life insurance, the better.
As you grow older, you risk more medical complications, which will make your life insurance premiums increase or make you ineligible for life insurance in the future.
With basal cell carcinoma, the sooner you get life insurance coverage, the better. Purchase as much as you can afford for the longest length of time you can afford it.
Conclusion
If you have been diagnosed with basal cell carcinoma, call us to help you understand your life insurance options.
At Life Wealth Win, we specialize in healthy to high-risk life insurance cases. We can help you understand your life insurance options with basal cell carcinoma.
We work with clients across the nation to get the best life insurance rates possible. If you have basal cell carcinoma, we can help you get the best life insurance rates.
