Article: ‘Understanding the Time Gap between Cancer Diagnosis and Mortgage Insurance Approval for Survivors’

Article: ‘Understanding the Time Gap between Cancer Diagnosis and Mortgage Insurance Approval for Survivors’

Introduction:

I am delighted to share that our research paper, “Waiting period from diagnosis for mortgage insurance issued to cancer survivors,” has been published in the prestigious European Actuarial Journal. The study investigates the challenges faced by cancer survivors in obtaining mortgage insurance and aims to determine the waiting period after diagnosis when standard premium rates become applicable. By analyzing data from the Belgian Cancer Registry, we found that a waiting period of 4 years after diagnosis is sufficient for 30-year-old thyroid cancer patients. The findings have important implications for insurance laws and the rights of cancer survivors. We encourage you to read the full article and watch our explanatory video to delve deeper into the research.

Full Article: Article: ‘Understanding the Time Gap between Cancer Diagnosis and Mortgage Insurance Approval for Survivors’

New Research Reveals Waiting Period for Mortgage Insurance for Cancer Survivors

A recent paper titled “Waiting period from diagnosis for mortgage insurance issued to cancer survivors” has been published in the European Actuarial Journal. The study explores the challenges faced by cancer survivors in obtaining mortgage insurance and determines the waiting period after which standard premium rates become applicable. The research aims to ensure fair access to insurance for cancer survivors, taking into account the right to be forgotten and the reliability of diagnosis data.

Why the Waiting Period Matters

The testimonial of Massart (2018) highlights the difficulties that cancer survivors encounter when trying to secure a mortgage loan. However, data collected by national registries suggest that the excess mortality rate associated with certain types of cancer becomes moderate or even negligible after a waiting period. This indicates that cancer survivors can be considered low-risk borrowers after a certain period of time.

Favoring a Waiting Period from Diagnosis

The study acknowledges the insurance laws introduced in France and Belgium, which grant cancer survivors the right to be forgotten. In light of these laws, the research favors a waiting period starting from the time of diagnosis rather than the end of the therapeutic treatment protocol. This approach aims to prevent disputes when a claim is filed. The date of diagnosis is reliably recorded in national registry databases, making it unquestionable in the event of a claim.

Assessing the Waiting Period

To determine the appropriate waiting period, the study analyzed data from the Belgian Cancer Registry. They focused on 28,994 cases of melanoma and thyroid cancer. By utilizing relative survival models and time-to-cure indicators, the researchers concluded that a waiting period of 4 years after diagnosis is sufficient for 30-year-old thyroid cancer patients. This aligns with the 3-year period stated in Belgian law for the end of the treatment protocol for this specific case.

Importance of the Research

The publication of this paper has generated interest and discussion, leading to a talk organized by the French National Cancer Institute (INCa). The research sheds light on the importance of fair access to mortgage insurance for cancer survivors and addresses the challenges they face in securing a home loan. By providing evidence-based recommendations, this study aims to contribute to the development of fair insurance policies for cancer survivors.

Collaboration and Acknowledgments

The paper is a collaborative effort between Antoine Soetewey, Catherine Legrand, Michel Denuit, and Geert Silversmit from the Belgian Cancer Registry. The valuable inputs and guidance of the PhD supervisors, Prof. Catherine Legrand and Prof. Michel Denuit, played a significant role in the research process.

Read the Full Article

For more detailed information on this study, you can read the full article here.

Further Exploration

In addition to the paper, a video has been created to explain the research and its implications. The video provides a comprehensive overview of the paper and the broader research conducted by the authors. You can watch the video here.

Conclusion

The publication of this paper is significant as it addresses the challenges faced by cancer survivors in obtaining mortgage insurance. By proposing a waiting period from diagnosis, based on robust statistical analysis, the research aims to provide fair access to insurance for cancer survivors. The study’s findings have already sparked interest and further discussion, highlighting the importance of this research in shaping insurance policies for cancer survivors.

Summary: Article: ‘Understanding the Time Gap between Cancer Diagnosis and Mortgage Insurance Approval for Survivors’

Our paper titled “Waiting period from diagnosis for mortgage insurance issued to cancer survivors” has been published in the European Actuarial Journal. The study examines the waiting period after which standard premium rates apply for cancer survivors seeking mortgage insurance. It proposes starting the waiting period from the diagnosis, as recorded in national databases, to avoid disputes when filing a claim. The research analyzes data from the Belgian Cancer Registry and concludes that a waiting period of 4 years after diagnosis is sufficient for 30-year-old thyroid cancer patients. The full article can be accessed here. Additionally, the paper resulted in a talk organized by the French National Cancer Institute.

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