“It (cancer insurance) allows you to focus on your recovery not worry about the bills piling up,”

Jesse Slome, director of the American Association of Critical Illness Insurance

Cancer cell growth inhibited by new drug, Healthy Habits News. December 23, 2020: A just-published report reveals that a newly developed compound starves cancer cells. The compound attacks the cancer cells’ “power plants”. As a result, the new compound prevents the genetic information within mitochondria from being read.

These findings was based on researchers from the Max Planck Institute for Biology of Ageing in Cologne, Germany as well as the Karolinska Institute in Stockholm and the University of Gothenburg. Their report finds that this compound could be used as a potential anti-tumor drug in the future.

According to the summarized report in Science Daily, the international team of researchers managed to establish a potential cancer drug that targets mitochondrial function without severe side effects and without harming healthy cells.

Cancer cell starvation

They note that previously the growth of cancer cells was assumed to be independent of mitochondrial function. However, the scientists undertaking the research noted that this long-standing dogma has been challenged in recent years. They note however that drugs that target mitochondrial functions are usually very toxic. As a result, it has so far proven difficult to target mitochondria for cancer treatment.

The research team designed a test method for identifying a chemical compound that strongly decreased cancer cell viability and tumor growth in tumor-bearing mice. It was generally well tolerated by the animals. “Our data suggest that we basically starve cancer cells into dying without large toxic side effects, at least for a certain amount of time.

Cancer awareness important because chances of survival increase

“Millions of American men and women will be diagnosed over the next few years and thanks to scientific discoveries like this the likelihood of survival following treatment increases dramatically,” says Jesse Slome, director of the American Association for Critical Illness Insurance. “A cancer diagnosis is no longer a death sentence. But in addition to the health implications there is a financial impact that planning can help avoid.”

“Even with good health insurance, those who get cancer may face bills for medical treatments, health insurance plan deductibles and out-of-pocket costs not covered by their insurance,” Slome explains. “In addition, income is often reduced because people will take time off from work.” A modest cancer insurance policy that provides $20,000 of immediate cash benefit can cover those uncovered costs and replace lost income. “It allows you to focus on your recovery not worry about the bills piling up,” Slome suggests. And, the premium costs can be surprisingly affordable.”

Cancer Cost Calculator shows cost for $10,000 of cancer insurance

The American Association for Critical Illness insurance website offers an instant insurance cost calculator. The online calculator provides an example of costs for $10,000 or cancer insurance protection. A benefit of $20,000 would cost twice the shown amount in yearly premiums.

• Source: Science Daily, December 23, 2020
  Photo credit: Image by Gerd Altmann from Pixabay
  Cancer survival 2020: Access other cancer facts and data on the Association’s website.

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“Men and women after reaching age 40 should be aware of the risk of cancer and some planning today is essential,”

Jesse Slome, director of the American Association of Critical Illness Insurance

Antidepressant helps cancer inhibition, Healthy Habits News. November 18, 2020: New research published in Molecular Cancer Therapeutics, a journal of the American Association for Cancer Research reports that the antidepressant sertraline helps to inhibit the growth of cancer cells. The study on cell cultures and lab animals was performed by research labs of KU Leuven.

According to the summarized report in Science Daily, cancer cells use different biological mechanisms to stimulate their growth. In certain types of breast cancer, leukemia, skin cancer, brain tumors and lung cancer, the malignant cells produce large amounts of serine and glycine, two amino acids. This production stimulates the growth of cancer cells to such an extent that they become addicted to serine and glycine.

Antidepressant helps cancer; sertraline was most effective

“This mechanism is an interesting target because cancer cells are so dependent on it,” says Professor Kim De Keersmaecker, head of the Laboratory for Disease Mechanisms in Cancer. “Healthy cells use this mechanism to a lesser extent and also take up serine and glycine from food. This is not sufficient for cancer cells, however, meaning they start producing more. If we can halt this production, we will be able to fight the cancer without affecting healthy cells.”

The researchers searched for a substance that influences the synthesis of serine and glycine. According to the report, they tested 1,600 substances on cells. The researchers reported that the antidepressant sertraline was the most effective substance. The researchers noted that other studies had already indicated that sertraline has a certain anti-cancer activity. They added that there was no explanation for this yet. In studies with mice they noted that sertraline in combination with another therapy strongly inhibits the growth of breast cancer cells. Zoloft is the most common sertraline medication.

Setraline us an antidepressant in a group of drugs called selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors. Sertraline affects chemicals in the brain that may be unbalanced in people with depression, panic, anxiety, or obsessive-compulsive symptoms.

Cancer awareness and planning is important

“Men and women after reaching age 40 should be aware of the risk of cancer and some planning today is essential,” says Slome, director of the American Association for Critical Illness Insurance. “A cancer diagnosis is no longer a death sentence. But in addition to the health implications there is a financial impact that planning can help avoid.”

“Those who get cancer may face bills for medical treatments, health insurance plan deductibles and out-of-pocket costs not covered by their health insurance. Plus, it’s more than likely that one will take time off from work. A modest cancer insurance policy can cover those uncovered costs and replace lost income. “It allows you to focus on your recovery not worry about the bills piling up,” Slome suggests. And, the costs can be surprisingly affordable.”

Cancer Cost Calculator shows cost for $10,000 of cancer insurance

The American Association for Critical Illness insurance makes available a Cost Calculator. The online calculator provides a pretty accurate example of costs for $10,000 or cancer insurance protection. It can be accessed on the Association’s website.

• Source: Science Daily, November 17, 2020
  Photo credit: Image by Gordon Johnson from Pixabay
  Cancer survival 2020: Access other cancer facts and data on the Association’s website.

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“There are 57 million U.S. gig workers who work either full-time or part-time and the Covid virus will only increase that number.”

Jesse Slome, director of the American Association of Critical Illness Insurance

Self-employed cancer planning: Critical Illness Awareness Month News. October 13, 2020: The freelance or gig worker economy is growing three times faster than the traditional workforce in the United States according to the American Association for Critical Illness Insurance (AACII). 

“According to the Bureau of Labor projections, the percentage of Americans who are defined as gig economy workers will increase to 43% this year,” shares Jesse Slome, director of the national organization.  “There are 57 million U.S. gig workers who work either full-time or part-time and the Covid virus will only increase that number.”

“Gig economy workers depend on their ability to work in order to pay their rent or mortgage, to pay bills,” cites Slome.  “If they are unable to work, what will replace the loss of income?”

New research shows that 44 million workers, or 28 percent of the U.S. labor market were self-employed at some point during a given week in 2019.   “One study reported that 14 percent of U.S. workers said being an independent contractor was their primary job, ” Slome cites.  “Current estimates project two million Americans driving for Uber and Lyft.  Another two million are real estate agents.”

Far too few of these self-employed or gig workers have a Plan B to replace lost income resulting from an illness or a critical illness diagnosis.  To help educate more Americans, the Association has initiated an educational effort in conjunction with Critical Illness Awareness Month (October).   “Our research shows that a significant percentage of adults in their 40s and 50s have never heard about cancer insurance or critical illness insurance,” Slome notes.

Nearly two million Americans will be diagnosed with cancer this year.  “Breast cancer risk really starts when you reach your 40s and prostate cancer risk really begins when men turn 50,” the critical illness insurance expert explains.  According to the Critical Illness Insurance Cost Calculator, a cancer insurance policy that pays $10,000 upon diagnosis can cost less than $100 a year for someone in their mid-40s.

Cancer awareness and planning is vital for self-employed and gig economy workers

Two million American men and women will be diagnosed with cancer this year. “For women, breast cancer risk starts after you turn age 40. Men start to face increasing prostate cancer risk rafter they turn 50,” the critical illness insurance expert explains. According to the Critical Illness Insurance Cost Calculator, a cancer insurance policy that pays $10,000 upon diagnosis can cost less than $100 a year for someone in their mid-40s.

Our goal is simply to increase awareness of the risks and the planning options for those who depend on their ability to work to pay bills,” Slome explains. “The worst thing is hearing from people who’ve been diagnosed with cancer, calling us in financial despair,” he adds. “They tell us they never heard about these options and while it’s too late for them to obtain coverage, we want to make sure others are aware.”

Cancer Cost Calculator shows cost for $10,000 of cancer insurance

Use the Association’s Cost Calculator to see an instant example of costs for $10,000 or cancer insurance protection. A cancer-only insurance policy like this would pay $10,000 as a lump-sum cash payment following a cancer diagnosis.

Cancer survival 2020: Access other cancer facts and data on the Association’s website.

The post Self employed cancer planning appeared first on American Association for Critical Illness Insurance.

“After age 50, men should be concerned about the risk of prostate cancer,”

Jesse Slome, director of the American Association of Critical Illness Insurance

PROSTATE CANCER STATISTICS 2020: Critical Illness Awareness Month News. October 12, 2020: Other than skin cancer, prostate cancer is the most common cancer in American men. The American Cancer Society’s estimates about 191,930 new cases of prostate cancer will be diagnosed in men in 2020.  About 33,330 deaths will be attributable to prostate cancer.

“Every day somewhere in the U.S. multiple men will hear the dreaded words, you have prostate cancer,” explains Jesse Slome, director of the American Association for Critical Illness Insurance, “The good news is that many will survive as the five year survival rate can be extremely good.”

Prostate Cancer Statistics 2020 – New Rates

Around 60% of prostate cancer cases are diagnosed in men over 65. The average age of diagnosis is 66 years. The disease rarely occurs in those younger than 40.

The number of new cases diagnosed in black men is 60% higher than to the number of new cases diagnosed in white men.

Prostate Cancer Survival Rates – 2020

The 5-year survival rate for most men with local or regional prostate cancer is nearly 100%. For men diagnosed with prostate cancer that has spread to other parts of the body, the 5-year survival rate is 31%. The 10-year survival rate for local, regional, and distant prostate cancer combined is 98%. The numbers below are based on men diagnosed with prostate cancer between 2009 and 2015. To learn more go to the American Cancer Society website.

Prostate cancer awareness and planning is paramount for men

“After age 50, men should be concerned about the risk of prostate cancer,” explains Slome, director of the American Association for Critical Illness Insurance. “During Critical Illness Awareness Month we hope to do all we can to raise awareness of the issues and options available.”

For men a modest cancer insurance policy or a more comprehensive critical illness insurance can cover costs not covered by their health insurance. It can also replace lost income especially important for the growing number of gig economy workers. “What I like to say is that critical illness insurance allows you to focus on your recovery not worry about the bills piling up,” adds AACII’s Slome.

Cancer Cost Calculator shows cost for $10,000 of cancer insurance

The American Association for Critical Illness insurance provides a Cost Calculator that gives a pretty accurate example of costs for $10,000 or cancer insurance protection. “Men who are between the ages of 40 and 60 should learn more about the enormous potential benefits of having even a small amount of cancer insurance,” Slome concludes.

Source: American Cancer Society
Photo Credit: Image by marijana1 from Pixabay
Cancer survival 2020: Access other cancer facts and data on the Association’s website.

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“Every day more than 750 American women will hear the dreaded words, you have breast cancer,”

Jesse Slome, director of the American Association of Critical Illness Insurance

BREAST CANCER STATISTICS 2020: Critical Illness Awareness Month News. October 9, 2020: The American Cancer Society’s estimates about 276,480 new cases of invasive breast cancer will be diagnosed in women in 2020.  About 48,530 new cases of non-invasive carcinoma in situ (CIS) will be diagnosed.) About 42,170 women will die from breast cancer.

“Every day more than 750 American women will hear the dreaded words, you have breast cancer,” explains Jesse Slome, director of the American Association for Critical Illness Insurance, “In fact, in recent years, incidence rates have increased slightly.”

Since 2007, breast cancer death rates have been steady in women younger than 50, but have continued to decrease in older women. From 2013 to 2017, the death rate decreased by 1.3% per year according to the American Cancer Society website.

Breast Cancer Statistics 2020 – New Rates

Rate of new breast cancers by age group, all races, female: **
Age 30-34: 29.6 per 100,000 women
35-39: 61.3 per 100,000 women
40-44: 124.9 per 100,000 women
45-49: 192.2 per 100,000 women
50-54: 230.3 per 100,000 women
55-59: 265.5 per 100,000 women
60-64: 329.0 per 100,000 women
65-69: 423.0 per 100,000 women
70-74: 463.5 per 100,000 women
Source: Centers for Disease Control

Breast cancer awareness and planning is paramount for women

“Women have every right to worry about the risk of invasive breast cancer,” explains Slome, director of the American Association for Critical Illness Insurance. “There are both health and and financial issues and during Critical Illness Awareness Month we hope to do all we can to raise awareness of the issues and options available.”

“Many women will face bills for medical treatments, deductibles and out-of-pocket costs for their cancer that is not covered by their health insurance. Plus, it’s likely that one will take time off from work. A modest cancer insurance policy can cover those uncovered costs and replace lost income. It allows you to focus on your recovery not worry about the bills piling up.”

Cancer Cost Calculator shows cost for $10,000 of cancer insurance

The American Association for Critical Illness insurance provides a Cost Calculator that gives a pretty accurate example of costs for $10,000 or cancer insurance protection. “We urge women between the ages of 40 and 60 to learn about the enormous potential benefits of having even a small amount of cancer insurance,” Slome concludes. “It’s often far more affordable than people think.”

Source: American Cancer Society
Cancer survival 2020: Access other cancer facts and data on the Association’s website.

The post Breast cancer statistics 2020 appeared first on American Association for Critical Illness Insurance.

“Every day Americans hear the dreaded words, you have cancer. Fortunately many will survive, which is good news that needs to be shared.”

Jesse Slome, director of the American Association of Critical Illness Insurance

CANCER SURVIVAL 2020: Critical Illness Awareness Month News. October 5, 2020: There are 18.1 million cancer survivors in the United States (2020 statistic). This marks a 30 percent increase from the number in 2010.

“Every day Americans hear the dreaded words, you have cancer,” explains Jesse Slome, director of the American Association for Critical Illness Insurance, “Fortunately many will survive, which is good news that needs to be shared.”

Data produced by the National Cancer Institute reports the significant increase in the number of cancer survivors. The government entity acknowledges that population growth and the aging of the U.S. population are the primary causes of the increase.

Number of Cancer Survivors

The study looked at cancer survival across 18 types of cancer. The five largest based on the total number of survivors include:
Breast (female) 4,275,000
Prostate 3,108,000
Melanoma 1,971,000
Colorectal 1,327,000
Lymphoma 803,000

For the five largest blocks, the following was the percentage change compared to 2010:
Breast (female) 24%
Prostate 34%
Melanoma 61%
Colorectal 9%
Lymphoma 26%

Breast cancer awareness and planning is paramount for women

“In 2020, some 270,000 U.S. women will be diagnosed with invasive breast cancer,” explains Slome, director of the American Association for Critical Illness Insurance. “More than half of these women will be between ages 50 and 69 and they will survive but their lives and financial situation may be greatly impacted.”

“Women in their 40s and 50s need to take steps to financially plan for this very real risk,” Slome notes. “Many women will face bills for medical care that is not covered by their health insurance. Plus, it’s likely that one will take time off from work. A modest cancer insurance policy purchased in your 40s or even 50s can cover those uncovered costs and replace lost income while one undergoes treatment and recovery time.”

Cancer Cost Calculator shows cost for $10,000 of cancer insurance

The American Association for Critical Illness insurance provides a Cost Calculator that gives a pretty accurate example of costs for $10,000 or cancer insurance protection. A policy like this would pay $10,000 as a lump-sum cash payment following a cancer diagnosis. With many companies dropping benefits it is important to compare this. If you are offered employer critical illness insurance coverage at work this year, use the cost calculator to compare costs.

Source: National Cancer Institute
Photo Credit: Image by Jill Wellington from Pixabay

Cancer survival 2020: Access other cancer facts and data on the Association’s website.

The post Cancer survival 2020 statistics data appeared first on American Association for Critical Illness Insurance.

“Better treatments make that possible but many working-age individuals are simply unprepared for costs of medical care that is not covered by their health insurance,”

Jesse Slome, director of the American Association of Critical Illness Insurance

HEALTHY HABITS NEWS: Cancer Under 40 Statistics. September 21, 2020:

A new report just published finds that nearly 90,000 Americans between ages 15 and 39 will be diagnosed with cancer this year. Some 90 percent will survive although the report shares that more than 9,200 will die.

Cancer is the 4^th leading cause of death in this age group, behind only accidents, suicide, and homicide. It’s the leading cause of death from disease among females in this age group, and is second only to heart disease among males.

Younger women generally do not consider themselves to be at risk for breast cancer. However, breast cancer can strike at any age. Five (5) percent of breast cancer cases occur in women under 40 years of age.

The report shared on Webmd notes that cancer deaths are higher among Black people than white people (nearly 13 per 100,000 versus 9). Fifty-seven percent of Black patients survive lymphocytic leukemia compared with 71% of white patients. For breast cancer, the survival rates are 78% for Black people and 89% for white people.

Between 2007 and 2016, annual rates of melanoma declined between 4 percent and 6 percent among 15- to 29-year-olds. However, the findings reveal that among 30-to 39-year-olds, rates dropped only slightly among men and were unchanged among women.

The study was published Sept. 17 in the society’s journal, CA: A Cancer Journal for Clinicians.

Cancer under 40: planning is important for younger men and women

“While we tend to say that cancer planning should really start around age 40, the new study is reason for younger people to become aware of the real risks,” explains Jesse Slome, director of the American Association for Critical Illness Insurance. “Every few seconds another American hears the words, ‘you have cancer’ which for all is a truly life-changing event cancer.”

“Thankfully the vast majority of these 90,000 young people will survive,” Slome notes. “Better treatments make that possible but many working-age individuals are simply unprepared for costs of medical care that is not covered by their health insurance. Plus, many will need to take time off from work. A modest cancer insurance policy purchased can cover those uncovered costs. It can be like receiving a huge stimulus check to replace lost income while you undergoes treatment and recovery time.”

Source. WebMD, September 18, 2020
Photo Credit: Image by Elías Alarcón from Pixabay

Find costs for $10,000 of cancer insurance

The American Association for Critical Illness insurance provides a Cost Calculator. Use it to see an instant cost for $10,000 of benefits paid following a cancer diagnosis. If you are offered employer critical illness insurance coverage at work this year, see what to compare.

The post Cancer under 40 statistics appeared first on American Association for Critical Illness Insurance.

“News like this and better treatments for those diagnosed offer great benefit. But many men are simply unprepared for costs of medical care that is not covered by their health insurance,”

Jesse Slome, director of the American Association of Critical Illness Insurance

HEALTHY HABITS NEWS: Coffee and cancer news. September 18, 2020: Researchers at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute report that for a large group of patients with metastatic colorectal cancer, consumption of a few cups of coffee a day was associated with longer survival and a lower risk of the cancer worsening.

The study shows a connection between regular coffee consumption and improved outcomes in patients with non-metastatic colorectal cancer. Findings were published in JAMA Oncology.

Out of over 1,100 patients treated for metastatic colorectal cancer, those who reported drinking two to three cups of coffee a day were likely to live longer overall. In addition, they had a longer time before their disease worsened. This compared to individuals who did not drink coffee. According to the report, study participants who drank more than four cups a day had an even greater benefit in these measures. The benefits held for both caffeinated and decaffeinated coffee.

“It’s known that several compounds in coffee have antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and other properties that may be active against cancer,” says Dana-Farber’s Chen Yuan, ScD, the co-first author of the study with Christopher Mackintosh, MLA, of the Mayo Clinic School of Medicine. “Epidemiological studies have found that higher coffee intake was associated with improved survival in patients with stage 3 colon cancer, but the relationship between coffee consumption and survival in patients with metastatic forms of the disease hasn’t been known.”

Healthy Habits News: Cancer updates for men

“Overall, the lifetime risk of developing colorectal cancer is: about 1 in 23 (4.4%) for men and 1 in 25 (4.1%) for women.,” explains Jesse Slome, director of the American Association for Critical Illness Insurance. “Colorectal cancer is the third most common cancer diagnosed in both men and women in the United States”

“There is a real need for men and women to take steps to financially plan for this very real risk,” Slome notes. “News like this and better treatments for those diagnosed offer great benefit. But many working-age individuals are simply unprepared for costs of medical care that is not covered by their health insurance. Plus, many will need to take time off from work. A modest cancer insurance policy purchased in your 40s can cover those uncovered costs and replace lost income while one undergoes treatment and recovery time.”

* Source. Science Daily, September 17, 2020
Photo Credit: Arek Socha from Pixabay

Find costs for $10,000 of cancer insurance

The American Association for Critical Illness insurance provides a Cost Calculator. Use it to see an instant cost for $10,000 of benefits paid following a cancer diagnosis. If you are offered employer critical illness insurance coverage at work this year, see what to compare.

The post Coffee and cancer news appeared first on American Association for Critical Illness Insurance.

The post Gene Delays Ovarian Cancer appeared first on American Association for Critical Illness Insurance.

Source: Science Daily
Photo Credit: Pixabay

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The American Association for Critical Illness Insurance advocates for the importance of planning in order to understand the financial consequences associated with cancer, heart attack, stroke and other common critical illnesses. Based in Los Angeles, California, we maintain this website with the sole goal of educating more consumers and supporting those insurance professionals who offer cancer insurance as well as critical illness insurance solutions.

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