TAL has introduced an education course to increase financial advisers’ understanding of cancer conditions and help them give clients the best possible support.

The course, run through the life insurer’s Risk Academy, is presented by TAL’s health services team and focuses on understanding the staging, diagnosis, prognosis and treatment of cancer, plus relevant medical terminology.

“We want to lead the industry in understanding medical conditions such as cancer, and one way we are doing this is by equipping our adviser partners with the knowledge and tools they need to get the best outcomes for clients that are at risk of, or faced with, cancer,” TAL GM for Health Services Sally Phillips said.

“Cancer represents the largest category of claims for TAL and it costs Australia more than $4.8 billion per year in direct health system costs.

“We know the devastating impact it can have on the lives of individuals and their families, and there is value in a financial adviser helping people through their cancer journey.

“This course aims to upskill advisers on the specifics of the medical condition so they can help clients choose the right insurance cover for their situation and lifestyles at underwriting time, and best support clients if they need to claim.”

The course can be accessed through TAL’s Risk Academy on-demand webinar.