Prostate Cancer
The second most common form of cancer, prostate cancer is the second leading cause of cancer-related death among American men but only one of three very common prostate issues that afflict men. The other two most common prostate problems include prostatitis, or infection or inflammation of the prostate gland, and benign prostatic hyperplasia or BPH, which describes an enlarged prostate.
The prostate gland produces seminal fluid and is found below a man's bladder. When it is inflamed or enlarged, it can cause lower back pain, an urge to urinate frequently and pain during ejaculation.
How might this condition affect your health insurance policy? In this article, we answer this and other questions:
- How is a prostate problem treated?
- How can I prevent prostate cancer
- If I have this condition, will I have problems getting coverage?
- With prostate problems, what are my insurance options?
Treatment Options for Prostate Problems
Depending upon the problem, treatment options for prostate problems vary. Prostatitis needs an exact diagnosis of the cause of the infection before an appropriate treatment can be chosen but usually a round of antibiotics is the first course of action. Chronic pelvic pain may be treated with analgesics and anti-inflammatory medications.
BPH has no cure but can be treated with either 5 alpha-reductase inhibitors like Proscar (finasteride) and Avodart (dutasteride) or alpha-adrenergic receptor blockers like Cardura (doxazosin) and Hytrin (terazosin).
Prostate cancer treatments vary depending upon the stage in which it is caught. Nonsurgical treatments for early stages may include transurethral microwave thermotherapy (TUMT), which accesses the affected area through a catheter in the urethra and water-induced thermotherapy (WIT), which circulates hot water through an inflated balloon catheter to heat the inside of the prostate and treat the infected tissue.
Surgical procedures include transurethral needle ablation (TUNA, transurethral vaporization of the prostate (TUVP), laser surgery, transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP), and transurethral incision of the prostate (TUIP) in which the affected areas are removed with lasers, electrical currents or snipped away. An open prostatectomy may be necessary for late stage of the disease to remove the prostate completely.
Preventative Measures to Protect Against Prostate Cancer
There is no known cause of prostate cancer, and most factors that contribute to its onset — age, race, gender — cannot be controlled. Other factors, however, can. A low-fat diet and high in fruits and vegetables has been proven to decrease risk for all types of cancer, including prostate issues.
Prostate Cancer Insurance Challenges
Acute issues of prostate pain and infection even if treated within the six months prior to applying for health insurance most likely will not affect your ability to get health insurance. Prostate cancer, however, will most likely be dubbed a preexisting condition and require a waiting period before it is covered that may last as long as 12 months.
Insurance Options for Men With Prostate Cancer
No one can deny you health insurance based on a preexisting health condition thanks to the federal COBRA laws. If you are disabled due to treatment or are classified as low-income, then there are a number of options available to you including Social Security Insurance and high-risk pools for those who can't find affordable coverage.
Request a health insurance quote today!
Last Updated : Tuesday, August 14, 2007