Despite vast improvements in detection and treatment, cancer is still one of the leading causes of death in the United States. There are many reasons why cancer is still so deadly, but the good news is that the number of people it takes every year is coming down.

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Statistics

Cancer is second leading causes of death in the USA

For 2016, it was estimated that nearly 1.7 million cases of cancer were diagnosed in the US. The number includes those who were diagnosed the first time along with those who already have been diagnosed with other forms or locations of their cancer. Nearly 600,000 succumbed to the disease in 2016 which includes forms of cancer such as the following;

  • Breast, Lung, and Bronchus
  • Prostate, Bladder, Colon, and Rectum
  • Melanoma, non-Hodgkin lymphoma, and Thyroid cancer
  • Kidney, Renal Pelvis, Leukemia, Endometrial, and Pancreatic cancer

Of the major forms of cancer, for every 100,000 that are afflicted, it is estimated that just over 171 will die from the disease. During your lifetime, it is estimated that there is a nearly 40% chance that you will be diagnosed with some form of cancer.

Five Reasons Why Cancer is So Prevalent

Cancer can strike anyone at any time. Some cancers are preventable, but many go undetected until treatment options become far more challenging.

Lack of Awareness: When detected in the early stages, virtually all forms of cancer are treatable with minimal complications. Unfortunately, many people are still not aware of cancer screenings which can detect even the smallest outbreak of the disease before symptoms arise.

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Lack of Symptoms: Many cancers have few, if any symptoms when they are in this treatable stage. It is only when they grow and start to affect the function of nearby organs does a person feels symptoms. By that time, cancer may have grown to the point of being difficult to treat.

Mistaken Diagnosis: Some cancer symptoms, such as those associated with lung cancer, for example, are often dismissed by those affected as symptoms of allergies, colds, flu, or other minor issues. This delay is correctly identifying the exact cause of the symptoms leads to greater chances of demise.

So Many People Affected: Although family history plays a significant role in who may develop cancer in the future, there are still many people who will contract this disease that has no previous history. This means that guessing who may contract cancer is a difficult one.

Speed: Depending on the form of cancer, it can spread fast so that even when symptoms are noticed early, it may be too late to overcome the disease successfully. This is true for pancreatic cancer because it can spread to the other organs of the body very quickly.

Can You Get Life Insurance if You Have Cancer?

The answer is yes, but it will be far more expensive compared to getting life insurance that covers cancer before you are diagnosed. Because the risk of cancer is so high, even for those with no family history, it is important that you get regular screenings and life insurance coverage that include cancer. Getting life insurance for cancer offers peace of mind in case the worst should occur.

Author

Meet Mark Orourke, a seasoned funeral insurance expert with over 15 years of experience in the industry (Bachelor in Finance from SDSU, CA). With a passion for helping families prepare for the unexpected, Mark has dedicated his career to providing personalized funeral insurance solutions. Meeting the unique needs of each client is what Mark always prioritizes.