June 21, 2007
It's summertime! How skin cancer, tanning, and sunscreen affect your health insurance plan.
What is Skin Cancer?
Skin cancer is one of the most common types of cancer amongst Americans today. In fact, skin cancer accounts for half of all diagnosed cases of cancer. There are two types of skin cancer: melanoma and non-melanoma. Melanoma skin cancer is not as common as non-melanoma skin cancer, but it is more deadly. Melanoma skin cancer accounts for about 4% of all skin cancer cases, but 75% of diagnosed melanoma skin cancer cases end with death. Over one million cases of non-melanoma skin cancer are diagnosed each year in the United States. Men are more likely to develop non-melanoma skin cancer than women.
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Who Can Develop Skin Cancer?
Anyone can develop skin cancer, but certain people are more likely to develop the disease based on their exposure, their family history, and other factors. People with a higher susceptibility to skin cancer may demonstrate the following characteristics:
- Caucasians have a 10% increased risk of developing skin cancer because they have less melanin in their skin to protect them from the sun's rays.
- People who freckle or burn easily, have spent lots of time in the sun, or have had many sunburns in their youths.
- People with a personal or family history of skin cancer.
- People who have been exposed to toxic materials, subtypes of human papilloma virus, or have had radiation therapy.
Wearing sunscreen can help protect your skin from Ultra-Violet rays from the sun. Wearing sunscreen will help prevent people from burning and freckling, which is one of the most common ways to develop skin cancer.
I have a history of skin cancer in my family and/or I have been diagnosed with skin cancer. How does this affect my health insurance policy?
People with spotted medical pasts, whether personal or familial, may have a harder time obtaining a good, affordable health insurance policy. People who are currently diagnosed with skin caner and do not have a health insurance policy will have an even harder time finding insurance. If you are in either of these situations, research your options. Consider a government program, a guaranteed issue health insurance program, and look at the variety of programs that private companies offer.
