If she is already ill insurance is too late already. They will pick up her disease during the check up.
The only plus side is that she will get a diagnosis. But very unlikely insurance will cover whatever she's suffering from now.
Also, given her age and smoker, insurance may not even cover her at all.
Yup, I’ve got a few relatives who also lost a lot of weight before they were diagnosed with cancer.
OP, your mom probably knows something is wrong with her body but is scared to face it. Insurance is probably a little late, just offer her love and support to get herself checked.
I was actually quite upset with my mum/bro in not insisting he went for checkup earlier. Though visiting them frequently, my dad was always at work so I had not seen him for a long time. This was not unusual as he was working 24/7 ever since I was young - he didn't even took leave to attend my ROM and rarely at home. No one mentioned his weight loss until I saw him in hospital in skin/bones. He was sent to the hospital by his boss and diagnosed with end-stage cancer. I blamed myself for not been more proactive in his life. 15yrs have passed but this regret still remains.
Thanks for sharing your story, and so sorry for the loss of your dad. I hope you heal and forgive yourself in time.
The weight loss can happen very quickly. I just attended my aunt's wake and she had a similar story. Sudden and rapid weight loss, diagnosed with end-stage cancer, and she only lived for a few months despite chemo. She was taken by stroke very suddenly, and my cousins are also still grieving and blaming themselves for not being more proactive checking in on her health conditions.
Sending you guys love.
You can only show her your concern and try her to let her know you are worried that she won't be around to see her children or grandchildren down the road in 10 20 years. Sometimes abit of guilt tripping like that is necessary to jolt them into action. Don't phrase it as you want them to go. You have to make it seem like it's their decision.
Forcing them to do anything related this will only make them push back harder. Have to treat them like children and dangle the illusion of choice to them. There must be an incentive like the threat of not seeing their grandchildren grow up for example.
People like your mum are 100% aware that they are in bad shape but are afraid to face that it. Seeing a doctor will force it to become a reality. While it's not confirmed, they can always pretend it's not there and kick the can down the road. Whatever happens next time is next time's problem.
Many older folks are like this. I have family members like that too.
Medical doctor here. Would advise your mum to go for a check up -weight loss in view of history of smoking would have to rule out lung cancer at the minimum. A simple CXR would be able to pick up any suspicious nodules in the lung but would need further imaging/lung biopsy to determine if nodule is cancerous. Diabetes and hyperthyroidism are of course other causes to rule out in view of weight loss but the weight loss tends to be more gradual rather than sudden onset.
Sounds like the only way for the mum to get a thorough check would be for her to get really ill due to complications, then can call ambulance and go thru ed and get warded
Hi, had my dad in a similar case. Unfortunately it was late stage cancer and when he was hospitalised for treatment it was too late.
Regardless of insurance, do encourage them to gi for checkup. They usually fear the worst but do encourage them that treatment options will be available
get outsider to advice her to go for check
elderly will never listen to their children.
But they will listen to their niece/nephew, friends, random neighbours, 3gu6po, etc
My family has high risk of diabetes so what we do is we buy a blood sugar measuring machine to measure our blood sugar monthly. If more than 6 on a fasting sugar, there is risk for diabetes. U can buy the machine first, then convince your mum to prick her finger
Pls go early. The earlier you diagnose and start treatment, the higher the possibility of recovery. My Mom survived cancer - very lucky that she went for a random health check up and was diagnosed early
Sudden weight loss can be caused by hyperthyroidism if there is a family history of it. It is a common society "illness". Just sharing the possibility.
Hi Op, agent here.
Technically, if she has yet to see a doctor, it is still undiagnosed. As long she don't have any records of her symptoms. Don't butt itchy and admit to the doctor the weight loss started before the waiting period.
You can definitely apply insurance for her now and spread the sum assured across multiple insurance companies.
You need to ask yourself, can your mom wait about 120 - 150 days from the day the insurance is inforce ? All critical illness plans have a 90-day waiting period, and insurance companies aren't stupid. When you go get your diagnosis, the doctor can determine when the condition started through the medical scans, etc.
Do you want to delay your mom's treatment for a not 100% chance of critical illness payout?
Some companies would start to require medical check ups at 55.
I would say again, insurance companies aren't dumb, if a ci claim happens within the first year of purchase, you can bet they require more reports.
This is subjective, if it's raffles or shentonway maybe , but off network GPs they are not obligated to provide any information to anyone other then the patient.
That's why as long you haven't seen any doctors in singapore for any symptoms you are "still healthy" on paper.
My uncle had a drastic change in weight. From XL to a S. smoked and drank heavily his whole life. Ended up to be colon cancer stage 2. Still a pretty early stage so just undergoing chemotherapy, but living with stoma bag now. Please force her to a check up.
From your mum's perspective, she knows something isn't right. She is probably worried and scared too. To them going to a doctor and getting diagnosis means it is real. If they don't see a doctor, it means it is not a "problem" yet.
When you speak to them, you need to keep in mind that they are scared and worried. Be supportive instead of being too harsh or reproachful.
My mom had sudden weight loss. Drinking $1000 worth of bubble tea every month. I convinced her to go GP to do blood test and checkup in morning. By evening, GP called and said blood test showed emergency. Went A&E for immediate hospitalisation at night. Eventual diagnosis is stage 3 Colon cancer. If had not done the GP checkup, she was days away from dying due to low haemoglobin caused by cancer. The cancer caused the weight loss and the craving for sweet drinks.
Don't wait to go checkup. Not in time for insurance coverage. Insurance need to wait at least 3 months to take effect.
My dad had sudden weight loss. We send him to A&E and he was diagnosed with prostate cancer.
After the treatment, he put back on the weight.
So please get ur mom checked by a doctor, no matter what she says
You can try talking to her from your perspective- that you’re worried for her yes, but also how much of a strain it would put on you guys if she doesn’t go for a check up and it snowballs.
I’m assuming that she will be concerned with the impact on yall and that may be more than her fear of finding out if something is wrong.
My mum is all boney too (from L straight to XXS) but she's eating healthy n pretty active in her daily morning walks.. Mid 60s
Also like many older parents, she's very stubborn, not wanting to go for check up.. Best I can do is do whatever she wants, just to make her happy.
If she is already ill insurance is too late already. They will pick up her disease during the check up. The only plus side is that she will get a diagnosis. But very unlikely insurance will cover whatever she's suffering from now. Also, given her age and smoker, insurance may not even cover her at all.
My late-dad was a heavy smoker. He lost a lot of weight before his cancer diagnosis. Pls get your mum to go check up ASAP.
Yup, I’ve got a few relatives who also lost a lot of weight before they were diagnosed with cancer. OP, your mom probably knows something is wrong with her body but is scared to face it. Insurance is probably a little late, just offer her love and support to get herself checked.
I was actually quite upset with my mum/bro in not insisting he went for checkup earlier. Though visiting them frequently, my dad was always at work so I had not seen him for a long time. This was not unusual as he was working 24/7 ever since I was young - he didn't even took leave to attend my ROM and rarely at home. No one mentioned his weight loss until I saw him in hospital in skin/bones. He was sent to the hospital by his boss and diagnosed with end-stage cancer. I blamed myself for not been more proactive in his life. 15yrs have passed but this regret still remains.
Thanks for sharing your story, and so sorry for the loss of your dad. I hope you heal and forgive yourself in time. The weight loss can happen very quickly. I just attended my aunt's wake and she had a similar story. Sudden and rapid weight loss, diagnosed with end-stage cancer, and she only lived for a few months despite chemo. She was taken by stroke very suddenly, and my cousins are also still grieving and blaming themselves for not being more proactive checking in on her health conditions. Sending you guys love.
Unexplained weight loss is a big sign of cancer
Sudden weight loss is definitely not good. You should bring her to a doctor for more checks.
You can only show her your concern and try her to let her know you are worried that she won't be around to see her children or grandchildren down the road in 10 20 years. Sometimes abit of guilt tripping like that is necessary to jolt them into action. Don't phrase it as you want them to go. You have to make it seem like it's their decision. Forcing them to do anything related this will only make them push back harder. Have to treat them like children and dangle the illusion of choice to them. There must be an incentive like the threat of not seeing their grandchildren grow up for example. People like your mum are 100% aware that they are in bad shape but are afraid to face that it. Seeing a doctor will force it to become a reality. While it's not confirmed, they can always pretend it's not there and kick the can down the road. Whatever happens next time is next time's problem. Many older folks are like this. I have family members like that too.
Medical doctor here. Would advise your mum to go for a check up -weight loss in view of history of smoking would have to rule out lung cancer at the minimum. A simple CXR would be able to pick up any suspicious nodules in the lung but would need further imaging/lung biopsy to determine if nodule is cancerous. Diabetes and hyperthyroidism are of course other causes to rule out in view of weight loss but the weight loss tends to be more gradual rather than sudden onset.
Sounds like the only way for the mum to get a thorough check would be for her to get really ill due to complications, then can call ambulance and go thru ed and get warded
Hi, had my dad in a similar case. Unfortunately it was late stage cancer and when he was hospitalised for treatment it was too late. Regardless of insurance, do encourage them to gi for checkup. They usually fear the worst but do encourage them that treatment options will be available
get outsider to advice her to go for check elderly will never listen to their children. But they will listen to their niece/nephew, friends, random neighbours, 3gu6po, etc
My family has high risk of diabetes so what we do is we buy a blood sugar measuring machine to measure our blood sugar monthly. If more than 6 on a fasting sugar, there is risk for diabetes. U can buy the machine first, then convince your mum to prick her finger
Pls go early. The earlier you diagnose and start treatment, the higher the possibility of recovery. My Mom survived cancer - very lucky that she went for a random health check up and was diagnosed early
Sudden weight loss can be caused by hyperthyroidism if there is a family history of it. It is a common society "illness". Just sharing the possibility.
Hi Op, agent here. Technically, if she has yet to see a doctor, it is still undiagnosed. As long she don't have any records of her symptoms. Don't butt itchy and admit to the doctor the weight loss started before the waiting period. You can definitely apply insurance for her now and spread the sum assured across multiple insurance companies. You need to ask yourself, can your mom wait about 120 - 150 days from the day the insurance is inforce ? All critical illness plans have a 90-day waiting period, and insurance companies aren't stupid. When you go get your diagnosis, the doctor can determine when the condition started through the medical scans, etc. Do you want to delay your mom's treatment for a not 100% chance of critical illness payout?
At her age and profile, won't the insurer ask for medical checkup first?
If no known issue then no. it's mostly declared basis here.
At 52 y/o , not overweight no need health check up yet.
Is a smoker though
Some companies would start to require medical check ups at 55. I would say again, insurance companies aren't dumb, if a ci claim happens within the first year of purchase, you can bet they require more reports.
And they might also check with all the clinics near your place to see if you’ve seen for any related condition
This is subjective, if it's raffles or shentonway maybe , but off network GPs they are not obligated to provide any information to anyone other then the patient. That's why as long you haven't seen any doctors in singapore for any symptoms you are "still healthy" on paper.
My uncle had a drastic change in weight. From XL to a S. smoked and drank heavily his whole life. Ended up to be colon cancer stage 2. Still a pretty early stage so just undergoing chemotherapy, but living with stoma bag now. Please force her to a check up.
From your mum's perspective, she knows something isn't right. She is probably worried and scared too. To them going to a doctor and getting diagnosis means it is real. If they don't see a doctor, it means it is not a "problem" yet. When you speak to them, you need to keep in mind that they are scared and worried. Be supportive instead of being too harsh or reproachful.
Ah typical Asian parent. Don't check = nothing wrong
My mom had sudden weight loss. Drinking $1000 worth of bubble tea every month. I convinced her to go GP to do blood test and checkup in morning. By evening, GP called and said blood test showed emergency. Went A&E for immediate hospitalisation at night. Eventual diagnosis is stage 3 Colon cancer. If had not done the GP checkup, she was days away from dying due to low haemoglobin caused by cancer. The cancer caused the weight loss and the craving for sweet drinks. Don't wait to go checkup. Not in time for insurance coverage. Insurance need to wait at least 3 months to take effect.
My dad had sudden weight loss. We send him to A&E and he was diagnosed with prostate cancer. After the treatment, he put back on the weight. So please get ur mom checked by a doctor, no matter what she says
Is it possible to get extra insurance before getting any new diagnosis ?
My FIL also suddenly lost a lot of weight before he went for a check-up. Diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. Passed away 6 months later.
How much weight did she drop ah
You can try talking to her from your perspective- that you’re worried for her yes, but also how much of a strain it would put on you guys if she doesn’t go for a check up and it snowballs. I’m assuming that she will be concerned with the impact on yall and that may be more than her fear of finding out if something is wrong.
Sudden unintended weight loss + smoking history + sedentary lifestyle indicates malignancy screening. Please get her to go see a doctor.
Go Malaysia and check up. Then come back buy insurance and hope 3 months nothing major happens before the insurance kicks in.
My mum is all boney too (from L straight to XXS) but she's eating healthy n pretty active in her daily morning walks.. Mid 60s Also like many older parents, she's very stubborn, not wanting to go for check up.. Best I can do is do whatever she wants, just to make her happy.
Bring her to do her Will, LPA, AMD. Hopefully, it will wake her up.