Precision Medicine and Critical Illness Insurance: Protection That Goes the Extra Mile

Some people call it a “war,” while others refer to it as a “silent enemy.” The truth is that, regardless of what we call it, cancer will forever change the lives of those who are diagnosed with it.

Although there are more and more screening tests and treatments available, the truth is that a cancer diagnosis always involves a great deal of physical, emotional, and even financial suffering, since treatments are usually lengthy and not inexpensive. There is, however, a ray of hope on the horizon that promises to change the paradigm of cancer treatment and, as a result, is beginning to appear as an integral part of critical illness insurance: so-called Precision Medicine.

In cancer, timely diagnosis is extremely important and can mean the difference between survival and death. This is where Precision Medicine comes in. This approach, as you can read in a lengthy article in an article on the subject in *Jornal de Notícias*, on the need to arrive at as accurate a diagnosis as possible so that treatment is directed solely at the malignant cells.

Thus, not only does the patient end up experiencing fewer side effects from the treatment—which is very harsh in most cases—but the treatment can also be tailored to the individual, destroying tumor cells more effectively and, in this way, preventing many of the disease’s effects, as reported in JN.

From this brief overview of what this “medicine of the future” is and what it can do for cancer patients, we can already see that the treatment paradigm for what has been dubbed the “disease of the 21st century” is changing radically, but, after all, what does this innovative technique entail, and what impact will it have, for example, when included as coverage in critical illness insurance?

What is Precision Medicine?

As we have already mentioned, Precision Medicine makes it possible to identify and isolate cancer cells and take targeted action, making each cancer treatment unique and specialized—but how?

Instead of a simple, generalized cancer diagnosis, Precision Medicine bases its approach on genetic biomarkers or altered proteins in a specific tumor, thereby enabling targeted therapeutic approaches and making each cancer treatment plan unique.

Since the launch of the Precision Medicine program in 2021 at the IPO (Portuguese Institute of Oncology) in Porto—one of the world’s leading centers for the study and treatment of cancer—800 patients have been treated. These patients, after reaching the last line of treatment without visible results, are selected and followed over time by a team of professionals who not only administer the therapies but also monitor their success and side effects.

One of the cancer treatments developed through precision medicine and adopted by IPO Porto is CAR-T cells, which are a pioneer worldwide.

According to José Mário Mariz, head of the Hematology and Bone Marrow Transplantation Department, this CAR-T cell therapy—which involves the patient’s own immune cells that are genetically modified in the laboratory to make them stronger—“involves genetic manipulation of the patient’s own cells. ”We know that T cells fight tumors, but sometimes the tumors manage to become stronger, and patients die. What this therapy does is transform the T cell, making it stronger.”.

Compared to other therapies, this treatment has shown promising results.

After two years of treatment, “40% of patients have their disease under control. Despite this, this technology still fails in 60% of cases. That is why it is very important to identify as accurately as possible which patients will benefit, so that we are not administering very costly treatments that will be futile for some patients,” says José Mariz.

There is, however, one obstacle: the cost of treatment.

How can Precision Medicine be a complement to critical illness insurance?

“The issue is that this revolution comes with very high costs. This technology clearly illustrates the problem of high costs and the risk to long-term sustainability.” This is how Júlio Oliveira, president of IPO Porto, explains one of the major obstacles to the widespread adoption of this innovative therapy worldwide.

But there is some hope.

Although each CAR-T cell treatment costs, on average, 350,000 euros, a life insurance policy with a critical illness rider can help change the paradigm, as some companies are beginning to include precision medicine services and genomic testing.

As a general rule, life insurance that includes critical illness coverage serves as a safety net for all families facing challenging situations following a difficult diagnosis. This insurance helps cover the indirect costs of the illness, compensates for lost income during this difficult time, and pays for expenses not covered by health insurance.,

This insurance is unique in that it provides a payment or advance (depending on the insurer) at the time of diagnosis.

With the additional Precision Medicine coverage, the insured now has access to innovative medications and treatments, such as CAR-T cell therapy, and, at the same time, the plan also covers genetic screening tests for immediate family members, if warranted.

Benefits of Purchasing Critical Illness Insurance with Precision Medicine Through an Insurance Broker

As we saw earlier, purchasing life insurance that includes coverage for critical illnesses and precision medicine offers a number of benefits not only for cancer patients but also for their families:

• Immediate financial coverage for personalized or innovative treatments outside the National Health Service (SNS);
• Coverage of tests for the patient's family members to determine whether they carry genetic markers associated with cancer;
• Access to molecular testing that guides more effective and less toxic treatment;
• The ability to tailor the financial resources (insurance coverage) to the specific treatment.
• Lower risk of clinical failure or uncertainty in diagnosis and treatment.
• Funds received at the time of diagnosis;

Benefits of EXS in Covering Serious Illnesses Through Precision Medicine

Access to innovation in health and insurance can be made possible through a life insurance policy that includes coverage for critical illnesses and incorporates precision medicine—an approach to treatment that is bringing renewed hope to those suffering from cancer.

Through EXS, you are guaranteed:

• Customized simulations with capital tailored to the client's profile;
• Recommendations for coverage options that make sense for your needs and financial situation;
• Specialized and professional support.
• Transparency regarding exclusions and waiting periods.
• An independent service that offers flexible and varied options: an approach that differs from that of conventional brokers.

The Future of Oncology

There are no miracle cures for cancer, but the approach that is showing the most promising results is precision medicine.

This new treatment is undoubtedly the future of oncology worldwide, but, as we mentioned, there is a price to pay for access to this cutting-edge technology. This is where life insurance with critical illness coverage comes in, offering enormous advantages in terms of time, effectiveness, and safety.

Coverage like this, which gives you access to personalized cancer treatment while also ensuringhome care, genetic testing for cancer markers for your family members, long-term and palliative care, innovative medications, and an advance payment upon diagnosis—is the protection you and your family need during a time as difficult as a cancer diagnosis.

Don't wait to protect yourself and your loved ones. If you want to combine cutting-edge medical care with financial security, then request one now simulation Go to EXS and choose a life insurance policy that includes Critical Illness and Precision Medicine coverage.