I am currently in the midst of arranging a Terminal Illness claim for one client ill with prostate cancer who, fortunately for his wife, has three covers to claim on. Not that this is any consolation right now to either of them – although they are looking forward to some quality time together without financial constraint or being required to work through intensive chemo in the months ahead.
The second client, a Welder with a wife, young family and mortgage discovered his Prostate cancer early and was able to return to work within 6 weeks of surgery, and claim on his income protection.  The Trauma Rider on his policy paid out 6 months benefit and allowed the family, financially to be able to cope much better than having so long without an income.
The month of Movember therefore has special significance for me – despite being unable to participate personally!  I am looking forward to seeing a lot of unshaven men with porn-star mo’s, Handlebars, Mutton Chops, Clark Gables, French, Chopper Reads or other styles around for the rest of the month!  Well done to all the guys participating!  If you’d like to donate to this great cause, head to the Website here: http://au.movember.com/
Although I’m the one who always loves to be there with the cheque when things go wrong, the following stats were still eye-opening!
DID YOU KNOW?

• Each year in Australia, close to 3,300 men die of prostate cancer, which exceeds the number of women who die from breast cancer annually. Around 20,000 new cases are diagnosed in Australia every year.
• Each day about 32 men learn news that they have prostate cancer – tragically one man every three hours will lose his battle against this insidious disease
• One in 9 men inAustraliawill develop prostate cancer in their lifetime
• Prostate cancer is the most common cancer in Australian men and is the second most common cause of cancer deaths in men
• Each year more Australian men die from prostate cancer than women die from breast cancer but… a national survey by PCFA in 2002 showed that while 78% of women felt well informed about breast cancer – only 52% of men felt informed about prostate cancer
• The chance of developing prostate cancer increases: as men get older and if there is a family history of prostate cancer eg a man with a father or brother diagnosed with prostate cancer
• Early, curable prostate cancer may not have symptoms. While younger men are less likely to be diagnosed with it, they are more likely to die prematurely from it
• Simple testing by a GP can indicate prostate cancer
• Early detection can be achieved with PSA (Prostate Specific Antigen) blood test or DRE (Digital Rectal Examination) testing. Our research in 2002 shows that only 10% of men surveyed between the ages of 50 and 70 had taken these tests in the previous year.
• Some groups are at greater risk of prostate cancer … for example, for every 100 men who dies of prostate cancer in a metropolitan area ofAustralia (such as Melbourne or Sydney) 121 men will die in ruralAustralia. Various factors may include lack of awareness and education about prostate cancer, distance from testing and treatment, poor GP awareness and limited access to specialists (such as urologists)
• The Vietnam Veterans Association of Australia states that veterans have a 53% higher mortality rate from prostate cancer than the average population
• A recently published international study showed that firefighters have a 28% higher risk of prostate cancer

For further information about insuring with market leading providers in prostate cancer, please contact me on 07 5593 6895 to discuss your options.
Source: Prostate Cancer Foundation of Australia:  PSA testing in Prostate Cancer