October is Breast Cancer Awareness month and that’s a good thing - being aware of your potential to develop this dread disease is important because, if you catch it early, you’re more likely to beat it. You can also ensure you’re financially protected if you have a life insurance policy with a terminal illness benefit.

Here’s what you need to know to get full peace of mind.

Early breast cancer detection can save your life

Nobody knows your body better than you do. Regular Breast Self-Examination (BSE), performed once a month during ovulation, can help reveal a lump that might require further investigation. You’ll find a video tutorial explaining how to perform a BSA on the Cancer Association of South Africa’s (CANSA) website over here.

However, if you’re over the age of 40, CANSA recommends you also get a mammogram - a specialised x-ray that can detect lumps that are too small to be found by hand - once a year as your risk of developing breast cancer increases with age. Other things that can increase your risk of developing breast cancer include your genetics, being overweight, smoking and overindulging in alcohol.

The reality of a terminal breast cancer diagnosis

Thanks to early detection, many women diagnosed with breast cancer can treat it and beat it. However, if you had to be diagnosed terminal breast cancer, also known as Stage IV breast cancer, you’d want to have a life insurance policy with a terminal illness benefit.

Being diagnosed with a terminal illness means that you’d be suffering a life threatening disease with little to no survival rate. At this point, there isn’t too much that can be done in terms of treatment except slowing the process or easing any suffering. Still, medical aids typically don’t cover the full scope of expenses that come with this type of diagnosis. This is where life insurance can be a great way to get full peace of mind.

How MiWayLife’s Terminal Illness benefit works

At MiWayLife, all our life insurance policies include an accelerated Terminal Illness benefit. This means that, if you were diagnosed with a terminal illness by a medical professional and given 6 to 12 months to live, you’d have the option to immediately claim 50% or 100% of your life cover amount. In short, you could receive half or all of your life insurance benefit while you’re still alive.

Unlike a medical aid that will only pay for approved medical expenses, you can use your life insurance payout any way you wish. This way, you can afford to maintain your quality of life, settle outstanding debts that could burden your loved ones and ensure that important yet costly things are taken care of. As an example, you could create a trust to pay for the care of your children.

The bottom line

Breast cancer is still the number one cancer affecting women. You can’t afford to not be vigilant about screening, especially after 40. But, in the same way you stay on top of your health, consider taking charge of your financial future. A MiWayLife policy with a Terminal Illness Benefit can provide you with full peace of mind so you can get back to living your life to the fullest.

Did you know:

You can now take out life cover with us online in a few simple steps. No calls and no agents! Make sure to take care of those you love today by buying MiWayLife cover online.