MP15-02 THE EFFECT OF RADICAL PROSTATECTOMY, EXTERNAL BEAM RADIATION THERAPY, AND ACTIVE SURVEILLANCE ON LIFE INSURANCE PREMIUMS IN PATIENTS WITH PROSTATE CANCER

Abstract

AbstractIntroduction: Patients with early stage, low risk prostate cancer are typically treated with radical prostatectomy, external beam radiation therapy or active surveillance. We examine how these different management options affect life insurance underwriting practices.Methods: A total of 20 life insurance companies were sent questionnaires with 9 sample patient cases. Patients were diagnosed with low risk prostate cancer at age 55, 65 or 75 years, and treated with radical prostatectomy, external beam radiation therapy or active surveillance. The life insurance companies were then asked what their underwriting decision would be (standard, substandard or decline) for each sample patient if he submitted a $500,000 term life insurance application at 1, 3 and 5 years after treatment initiation with no evidence of disease on followup.Results: Of the 20 life insurance companies 12 (60%) responded to the questionnaire. In all age groups standard life insurance premiums were most likely to be granted after r...