The prediction model can be used by medical advisors when assessing the application for term life insurance (ORV) by someone who has ever had breast cancer. The model estimates the extra chance of dying within ten years after a breast cancer diagnosis, compared to the general Dutch population. This takes into account various patient, tumor and treatment characteristics that can influence the risk of death. In addition, the model takes into account the number of years after diagnosis that a patient has survived. The latter is important, because the additional risk decreases as the years go by.

This new model is made up of a large number of variables and uses data from the Dutch cancer registry. This allows the medical advisor of the insurer to match the personal situation of the applicant as well as possible in his advice and the high quality of Dutch cancer care is included in the advice. This leads, according to the first test results, to a better insurability of people who have been treated for breast cancer.

Insurers are not allowed to make agreements about their premium policy, because they compete with each other on that point. But as it becomes clearer that with the passage of time the chances of survival improve, you can assume that insurers also take this into account in their rates. There are already insurers who reduce surcharges to a normal level in five or ten years. That is of course very important for an ex-patient, because it offers a positive perspective.