We learned recently about a lady who was applying for a mortgage and therefore arranging life insurance. As she was only in her mid 30's and in good health, she was quite surprised to be quizzed about the breast cancer which her mother had suffered from in the past. Her mother had recovered well from the illness and had been assured that it was one which, in almost all cases, progressed no further. As she knew the nine out of ten breast cancers were non-hereditary, she failed to see how it could possibly affect her proposal.



She had filled in the application as well as she possibly could. As her mother was alive and well and in view of the facts mentioned above, she had not elaborated on her mother's condition. The insurers, however, asked at what age her mother had been diagnosed, saying they needed this information to accurately assess the mortgage application.

In actual fact her mother had been diagnosed during a regular breast screening when she was in her mid 50's - almost ten years ago. It was actually a pre-cancerous condition which in 90 per cent of cases does not develop any further. Known as DCIS, or ductal carcinoma in situ, the lady's mother had actually gone on to write about the uncertainties which surround this type of cancer. Less than 10 per cent of cancers are caused by specific gene defections. She was staggered to discover that simply attending a routing screening could produce possible financial implications years later.

The insurance company were contacted and an excerpt from the book was sent to them, which made the point that doctors knew little about this condition and there being no evidence of a genetic element. They then issued a standard policy with no further investigations. The Consumers' Advisory Group for Clinical Trials say that it's only in recent years that patients have been informed of the possibility of long term consequences regarding screening.

The Insurance Ombudsman has been asked to investigate the possibility that life cover could be refused if applicants have a family history of cancer. The British Medical Association viewed the case as an example of the way insurers may find they're misusing such genetic information when applying assessments to applications.

This case highlights the controversial decision of the Government to allow insurers to make use of genetic tests, to enable them to identify persons with hereditary illnesses. This means that companies may refuse cover or increase premiums for people who have inherited genes which could lead to fatal conditions. The case has apparently been referred to the British Medical Associations ethics committee.

According to the Association of British Insurers, companies have routinely used genetic information, as they have always asked for details of the family health history for applicants. Whatever the outcome, it's crucial to be completely open and answer all questions when applying for any type of insurance. Something undisclosed, however trivial it may seem, can cause real problems in the future.

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