How do you answer the "Do you have cancer now" question?

Posted by ramblinman @ramblinman, Feb 20 7:18am

I am interested in how others answer when asked by dentists, physicians, and others, if you currently have cancer, after having a radical P. I noticed recently that Delta Dental offers additional coverage for cancer patients at no cost. Are we eligible for that or not after surgery?

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Prostate Cancer Support Group.

briang1958 | @briang1958 | Feb 20 7:38am

Personally, I tell them I do have cancer. I think it's pretty important, even the dentist.

I'll look at Delta, thanks

ramblinman | @ramblinman | Feb 20 8:15am

Thanks. It looks like Delta calls the program "SmileWay," and it was offered to me since I am insured through FEDVIP, but they may offer it to other insured groups as well.

I agree that we should say we still have cancer, to be on the safe side in case it happens to recur.

tuckerp | @tuckerp | Feb 20 8:17am

I tell them I have/had cancer. I want to believe its behind me but I still have the lingering effects. Its interesting though that I recently changed my Plan F. I am not eligible for guaranteed coverage. The questionnaire asked if I had cancer in the last 2 years. A yes answer automatically disqualifies you. Its been 6 years since my RP. The way the question was worded I felt ok saying No to "if I had cancer".

ramblinman | @ramblinman | Feb 20 8:17am

In reply to @briang1958 "Personally, I tell them I do have cancer. I think it's pretty important, even the dentist...." + (show)

@briang1958 here is a link to the Delta program for FEDVIP: https://www1.deltadentalins.com/federal/fedvip/smileway-dental-benefits.html.

billybwbf2 | @billybwbf2 | Feb 20 8:59am

Interesting! I did not know that! I had cancer and surgery. How can I find out about this?

ramblinman | @ramblinman | Feb 20 9:05am

In reply to @billybwbf2 "Interesting! I did not know that! I had cancer and surgery. How can I find out..." + (show)

@billybwbf2, I am not sure if Delta offers it beyond FEDVIP insured, so it is probably best to contact Delta and ask about the SmileWay coverage to see if you are eligible.

jayhall | @jayhall | Feb 20 9:21am

My PCP told me to inform all my Medical providers (Eye Dr. Dentist etc) about my Prostate Cancer. So that's what I have been doing.

northoftheborder | @northoftheborder | Feb 20 9:26am

Technically, once you've been diagnosed with any cancer, the best outcome is stable, long-term remission.

If your prostate cancer was caught early and treated decisively, there's a very high probability (>95%, I think) that it won't recur during your natural life, so doctors will often call that "cured" from a statistical PoV, but there's currently no way to test if there are still dormant cancer cells that escaped the prostate and might wake up some day, so they can't know for sure.

In the end, it's really up to you. You can say you're "(statistically) cured" or that you're "in (stable, long-term) remission," whichever works for you.

jeff Marchi | @jeffmarc | Feb 20 10:52am

In reply to @northoftheborder "Technically, once you've been diagnosed with any cancer, the best outcome is stable, long-term remission. If..." + (show)

@northoftheborder
According to NIH the BCR rate is not quite that high.

For prostate cancer confined to the prostate (localized), the risk of biochemical recurrence (a rise in PSA levels) after a radical prostatectomy is generally between 20% and 40%, usually occurring within the first five years. However, with modern techniques, over 80% to 90% of men may remain cancer-free, especially if pathological features are favorable.
National Institutes of Health (NIH)