Breast cancer: Cancer is cancer, except to insurers

TANIA HORTON

I'm a breast cancer survivor... or am I?

I've had two diagnoses, undergone one surgery to remove a lump, a second 10-hour surgery to remove both my breasts and give me a reconstruction. I've undergone the same fear as anyone else diagnosed with this disease and I've come away with a better understanding of who I am and what I'm capable of dealing with... heck, I even got as tattoo to celebrate the end of my journey.

But according to the insurance companies, I didn't actually have cancer. However, I can't make any changes to my policies without full cancer exclusions being put in place!

I was diagnosed in April with LCIS within a fibroadenoma; a pre-cancer that was inside a benign lump. After undergoing surgery and having it removed I received a further diagnosis of Ductal Carcinoma In Situ (DCIS).

DCIS is a step above pre-cancer, but because it's in place there's no chance of it spreading... yet. It could be a year, five years, or never. But cancer is cancer and the best option as advised by my specialist was to have a bilateral mastectomy and reconstruction - plus testing of my sentinel lymph nodes to ensure it wasn't going to spread.

Luckily, after a bit of arguing, our medical insurer was happy to cover the cost of my surgery, but they wouldn't give us any payouts on our critical care or cancer policies. Because my cancer wasn't invasive they didn't deem it to be actual cancer.

However, after I had recovered from my surgery I did some investigation and because I've 'had cancer' all of my policies, health, insurance and surgical are now unchangeable. Should I try to increase my cover or make any changes they can automatically load a cancer exclusion on every single one of my policies.

Sometimes I feel guilty for calling myself a breast cancer survivor - afterall I didn't have to undergo chemotherapy or radiation therapy. I didn't lose my hair, I didn't get sick.

Fortunately, throughout my journey I have met many wonderful specialists, surgeons, nurses and fellow survivors; none of which have judged me regarding my diagnosis and all of whom have been reassuring and understanding.




Source: Stuff Nation