5 things to expect from cancer cover with private health insurance

Cancer cover is one of the most valuable parts of a health insurance policy. Cancer changes lives and affects families and loved ones.

World Cancer Day is Tuesday 4^th February and this year’s theme focuses on people-centred care, thinking of the people rather than the disease.

It's a worrying statistic that a cancer diagnosis will be a reality for one in every two of us, at some point in our lives.

While cancer diagnosis and treatment is available both privately and on the NHS, having cancer cover within a private health insurance policy is designed to not only ensure the policyholder get access to specialist consultants quickly, but make the policyholder as comfortable as possible throughout treatment and during aftercare. 

Here are five things you can expect from cancer cover with private health insurance…

Prevention

Having private health insurance cancer cover can help with some cancer prevention.

While not all cancers can be prevented, there are some lifestyle changes we can make to give us the best chance of staying healthy and keeping our health on top.

Most insurers offer a range of benefits and extras that can help support and encourage a healthier lifestyle. Some simple lifestyle changes that can help to reduce cancer risks include:

• Quitting smoking – each year of not smoking decreases the risk of lung cancer. After 15 years smoke-free, your chances of getting lung cancer are almost the same as someone who has never smoked
  
  
• Adopting a healthy and balanced diet - fruit and vegetables contain vitamins, minerals and antioxidants which may help to reduce risks of cancer in the mouth and stomach.
  
  
• Maintaining a healthy weight - overweight and obesity is the second biggest cause of cancer in the UK – causing more than 1 in 20 cancer cases. Too much body fat can cause levels of growth hormones to rise, which tells cells to divide more often. This increases the chance that cancer cells will develop.
  
  
• Regular Exercise – helps to maintain a healthy weight, reduce inflammation and improve your immune system.
  

Find out more about how you can build healthy habits.

Many of these healthy lifestyle changes can be supported by health insurance policies. For example, insurers like Vitality and Bupa offer gym and fitness product discounts as well as discounts on healthy meal plans and weight loss plans. 

They can also offer access to digital GPs, which can support with maintaining a healthy weight or quitting smoking.

Early Diagnosis

Early diagnosis can be critical when it comes to cancer. While this can’t always be the case, it’s beneficial to be aware of what’s going on with our bodies and any changes to our health through health assessments or a health MOT.

According to Cancer Research UK, when diagnosed at the earliest stage:

• Almost all women with breast cancer survive their disease for 5 years or more
• More than 9 in 10 people with bowel cancer survive their disease for 5 years or more
• Around 6 in 10 people with lung cancer survive their disease for 5 years or more

A health insurance policy can help to get an early cancer diagnosis once symptoms begin to appear.

Some private health insurance policies may offer additional cancer screenings beyond what the NHS provides, such as a PSA prostate cancer screening for men.

Bupa’s cancer cover offers a ‘cancer symptoms direct access call line'. Depending on the nature of your symptoms and your health insurance cover, you could be referred for an appointment with a consultant right away.

Axa offer a 'Check 4 Cancer' service that can support with breast and skin cancer concerns. In 2023, AXA members were offered their first breast appointment within 4 days. 

Once you've had a test, results will typically be back within 5 working days.

Vitality also offer cancer risk assessments – aimed to advise which cancers you could be at risk of, this could also lead to a discounted cancer screening.

Quick access to treatments

Health insurance can make a significant difference in accessing cancer treatments more quickly.

One of the greatest health insurance benefits is quicker access to healthcare when it's needed. When it comes to cancer, getting treatment without delay is essential.

Not only does quicker access to healthcare help you to feel better sooner, it can also provide peace of mind for you and your loved ones.

With the NHS, the current timelines for cancer cases in England, Scotland, and Northern Ireland are:

• no more than 2 months (62 days) wait between the date the hospital receives an urgent suspected cancer referral and the start of treatment
• no more than 31 days wait between the meeting at which you and your doctor agree the treatment plan and the start of treatment

In addition to quicker access to treatment, most health insurances will also provide you with the same specialist treatment throughout, from cancer diagnosis right up to treatment and aftercare.

Some insurance providers, such as Aviva also offer well-being support following your cancer treatment or even after your initial cancer diagnosis.

Breakthrough treatments 

Cancer cover with health insurance can provide access to breakthrough cancer drugs and treatments, often before they are available on the NHS.

This helps to ensure you get the best possible treatment that's available to you. You could have the option to choose your cancer specialist and the hospital where you are treated, or the insurer would provide recommendations on what hospital or specialist is best suited to your treatment needs, ensuring maximum comfort and reassurance.

You'll also get access to the private network of specialist cancer centres, private hospitals and consultants.

Treatment at home

Another benefit that may be available with health insurance cancer cover is chemotherapy at home and home nursing.

For example, within Aviva’s policy, they offer treatment at home if your specialist agrees this is possible, to ensure your comfort is prioritised. Bupa also offer chemotherapy in your own home.

With Vitality, you have the option to switch to being treated at home at any time, to ensure you’re comfortable. Getting home treatment covers things like chemotherapy or tablets, injections and infusions.

It’s important to note that while most insurers do offer this option, the decision also comes down to your doctor or consultant to decide if it's appropriate and what works best for different patients.

Finding a health insurance policy

Finding a suitable health insurance policy that covers cancer can be simple when using a health insurance comparison service like Usay Compare.

Usay Compare's service is highly personalised to each individual need. Expert advisers get to know and understand your requirements to help find suitable policies that will cover everything you need.

They will compare policies from the UK’s leading insurers, and provide advice and recommendations, whilst answering any questions you have to make sure you’re fully confident and have peace of mind in your insurance policy.

Whenever you’re ready to find your policy, our advisers will be ready to support you. You can fill out a quote and await a call from our team or get started now and give us a call on: 01285 864670