Part of our guide: Impaired Risk Life Insurance Underwriting by Condition →
A cancer diagnosis on an application doesn’t automatically mean a decline or a heavy rating. Here’s how one client qualified for Standard rates on $3 million of coverage six years after a prostate cancer diagnosis.
Key takeaways
- A cancer diagnosis on an application doesn’t automatically mean a decline or a heavy table rating.
- Time since treatment, Gleason score, and a clean follow-up PSA all factor into the underwriting outcome.
- About one in nine men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer, but most cases are slow-growing and highly treatable.
Six years after a prostate cancer diagnosis, an immeasurable PSA and a favorable Gleason score supported Standard rates on $3 million of coverage.
Understanding the risk profile
Prostate cancer occurs when cells in the prostate gland grow out of control. Some cases grow and spread quickly, but most grow slowly, and there are often no early symptoms. Other than skin cancer, it’s the most common cancer in American men — about one in nine men will be diagnosed with it during his lifetime, but only one in 41 will die of the disease, and the average age at diagnosis is around 66. Treatment options include surgery, chemotherapy, cryotherapy, hormonal therapy, radiation, or in some cases, watchful waiting.
The case
Our client, Fred, was 56 years old and seeking $3 million of permanent coverage. Almost six years earlier, his internist had flagged a moderately elevated PSA, and a biopsy confirmed prostate cancer. After weighing his treatment options, Fred chose surgery. The cancer was present in two areas within one side of the prostate, and his Gleason score was 6.
Why this case qualified for Standard
At a follow-up exam two months before applying, Fred had no major symptoms, and his PSA was so low it was immeasurable. Having been treated years earlier for an early-stage, moderately aggressive cancer, with no signs of recurrence since, Fred’s clinical picture supported a Standard offer rather than a table rating.
The takeaway
Time since treatment, a favorable Gleason score, and a clean follow-up PSA can add up to a much better offer than clients — and sometimes advisors — expect for a prostate cancer history. Call our life underwriting team to discuss the specific details of your client’s cancer history and coverage needs.
Frequently asked questions
Can a client with a history of prostate cancer qualify for Standard life insurance rates?
Yes, in the right circumstances. Factors like time since treatment, the original Gleason score, and a clean follow-up PSA with no signs of recurrence can support a Standard offer even years after a cancer diagnosis.
What is a Gleason score, and why does it matter for underwriting?
The Gleason score measures how aggressive prostate cancer cells appear under a microscope, on a scale that informs both treatment decisions and underwriting risk assessment. A lower score, like the 6 in this case, generally reflects a less aggressive cancer.
Reviewed by Tim Fuller on 2026-09-23
Tim Fuller
President, SRS Inc.
Tim leads SRS Inc., a full-service IMO (Independent Marketing Organization) and BGA (Brokerage General Agency) connecting independent financial professionals with life, annuity, disability income, and long-term care solutions from 60+ carrier partners — with the impaired-risk and complex-case expertise to place business other IMOs and BGAs turn away.
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