Tumor marker study: the Transamerica experience 1990-1995.
BACKGROUND
From the fall of 1990 through January 1995 Transamerica Occidental Life screened applicants for life insurance for cancer with Tumor Associated Antigen (TAA).


RESULTS
110,299 applicants were tested and in 13,829 positive levels of TAA were found. Of this latter number, 255 applicants were declined following various levels of evaluation.


CONCLUSIONS
We concluded that TAA screening was neither sensitive, nor specific enough for a screening tool for life insurance.
Elder
W J
WJ
D000206:Actuarial Analysis; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D017677:Age Distribution; D000368:Aged; D015295:Antigens, Tumor-Associated, Carbohydrate / Q000097:blood*; D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor / Q000097:blood*; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007345:Insurance Claim Review; D008297:Male; D008403:Mass Screening / Q000379:methods* / Q000592:standards; D008875:Middle Aged; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000401:mortality / Q000517:prevention & control*; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity