Malignant Melanoma — No Fun in the Summer Sun

Skin cancer is the most common cancer in the United States. The bad news? You have a 1 in 5 lifetime chance of developing some form of it. The good news? The two most common types – Basal Cell and Squamous Cell carcinomas – are superficial cancers that are treatable and typically appear as persistent, itchy, scaly rashes. See your dermatologist, get it removed, and in most cases, you’ll still be insurable at Preferred rates. Regular follow-up skin exams are the expectation going forward.

Melanoma is a Different Animal

Today we’re focusing on the more serious cancer – Malignant Melanoma. Melanoma results from a genetic mutation of skin cells and is potentially lethal. It spreads aggressively and carries the metastatic potential to enter the bloodstream and travel to other organs. That’s what makes it very dangerous.

Tanning Beds, UV Exposure, and the Boomer Generation

If you or any of your clients have ever used a tanning bed, an annual dermatology skin check is essential. Ultraviolet light, whether from the sun or a tanning bed, significantly increases skin cancer risk. No one fully understands what triggers the mutation, but protection from UV exposure is clearly preventative. Dermatologists recommend SPF 30 as a baseline.

Here’s some generational context worth knowing: Baby Boomers did not grow up with sunscreen. Quite the opposite. TV ads were pushing Hawaiian Tropic and Bain de Soleil, promising the deepest, darkest tan possible. That history matters underwriting-wise today.

What Early-Stage Melanoma Means for Underwriting

The encouraging news is that improved screening and early detection are identifying more melanoma cases at very early stages – Stage 0 and Stage 1. These early-stage melanomas are considered non-invasive to minimally invasive, and they’re often eligible for Standard underwriting classifications. In some cases, we’ve successfully negotiated early-stage melanoma cases into a Preferred risk category, depending on pathology details and follow-up history. That’s a real win for clients who assume a cancer diagnosis automatically means a declined or rated policy.

It’s important to note that the risk profile changes dramatically as staging advances to Stage 2 or beyond, so timing and documentation matter enormously.

The Research Is Exciting and It’s Changing the Game

The same genetic mutations that make melanoma dangerous also make it more susceptible to some of the most promising new cancer therapies being researched today. Our SPG Life & Annuity office in Rockville, MD sits between the National Institutes of Health and the National Cancer Institute. The research coming out of that corridor is exciting and suggests that Stage IV melanomas are being cured.

Life insurance and reinsurance companies are historically slow to update their underwriting manuals since actuarial studies take years to compile. But by staying current on emerging therapies and treatment outcomes, the SPG Life & Annuity underwriting team is uniquely positioned to negotiate the best possible rating class for your cancer survivor cases. That’s not a small thing. That’s the difference between a client getting covered and a client walking away uninsured.

Case Study 1:

Mr. G, a Baby Boomer male, age 65, had a routine dermatology checkup in December 2023 where a single skin lesion was shaved for biopsy. It was discovered to be Malignant Melanoma at Breslow (a measurement of melanoma depth) thickness level .5mm. It was diagnosed as Superficial Spreading Melanoma at Stage 1A. He had secondary surgery removal (wide excision) of the cancer site with margins all “clean” and free of any cancer. Six months later, May 2024, we negotiated STANDARD life insurance coverage for Mr. G.

Case Study 2:

Mr. B, also a Baby Boomer male, age 69, has had routine annual dermatology checkups for the past 11 years after a Squamous Cell skin cancer removal from his right shoulder. In 2019 a small mole looked suspicious to the dermatologist, and a shave biopsy was sent for pathology. The report came back as a Malignant Melanoma Stage 1. A wide excision was performed (deeper and wider tissue removal than the shave) with the final pathology report revealing no further cancer cells being found, and all surgical margins “clean”.  With Mr. B’s regular annual follow-up care and his Stage 1 Melanoma diagnosis, this case was negotiated to Preferred class for permanent coverage allowing for lifestyle and health style credits.

Don’t assume a melanoma history means a declined case. With the right documentation, the right timing, and a team that does the necessary work, your clients have more options than they think.