Is Private Cancer Treatment Better Than NHS?

By Claudia Jackson

Introduction

Receiving a cancer diagnosis, either for yourself or a loved one, is rarely something we’re prepared for. It can be a time of worry, fear and uncertainty about the future.

According to Macmillan Cancer Support, an estimated 3 million people are currently living with cancer in the UK, a figure that’s expected to rise to 3.5 million by 2025, 4 million by 2030, and 5.3 million by 2040.

With cancer cases on the rise, most of us will be touched by the disease at some point during our lifetime, and it’s never been more important to ensure the best possible treatment and care.

At Morehealth, we’re committed to giving you the information you need to safeguard your health and allow you to make the best choices for you and your loved ones.

What is cancer?

Cancer is a disease where your body cells behave abnormally. Normal cells grow and divide in a controlled way, but cancer cells grow and divide uncontrollably and may spread to other tissues. It’s a bit like a broken photocopier that keeps making faulty copies over and over again. Cancer cells also look different from normal cells and don’t stick together, allowing them to travel around your body in your blood and lymphatic system.

What causes cancer?

Cancer is caused by a combination of genetics and environmental factors such as lifestyle choices, sun exposure, certain infections and exposure to harmful chemicals.

Can cancer be prevented?

Cancer can’t always be prevented, but there are some things you can do to reduce your risk of developing certain cancers including:

• Quit smoking: Smoking tobacco is by far the biggest risk factor for developing lung cancer. This risk falls every year after stopping smoking, and after 15 years, your risk of lung cancer is almost the same as someone who has never smoked.
• Maintain a healthy weight: Being overweight or obese is the second biggest risk factor for developing cancer and 4 to 8% of cancers are linked to obesity. Research also shows that obesity can increase the risk of cancer recurrence, and lower your chance of recovery.
• Take regular exercise: Being more active is beneficial for your overall health and well-being and helps strengthen your immune system and reduce inflammation in your body.
• Eat a healthy diet: Follow a healthy, nutritious diet with plenty of fruit, vegetables, lean proteins and whole grains.
• Limit or abstain from alcohol: Alcohol causes several types of cancer including cancer of the mouth, bowel and breast.
• Protect your skin from the sun: Exposure to the sun’s UV rays is the biggest cause of skin cancer.
• Attend regular screening appointments: Regular screening for certain cancers is vital to ensure any changes are picked up early. Talk to your doctor about when you should attend screening for cancer.

Can Private Medical Insurance help with cancer prevention?

Many Private Medical Insurance policies offer incentives and benefits to support a healthier lifestyle.

Bupa offer discounts on healthy food, gym membership, health assessments and certain health products as well as digital appointments with a GP, nurse, physiotherapist, or mental health practitioner to offer support and advice.

Vitality also offers discounts and rewards for making healthy lifestyle choices such as increasing your activity, eating healthily or having a health assessment.

What are the benefits of private medical insurance and cancer treatment?

In addition to helping to prevent cancer by encouraging a healthier lifestyle, Private Medical Insurance offers many other benefits when it comes to cancer care.

Early diagnosis

Early diagnosis before the cancer has spread means that your treatment is more likely to be effective.

• Breast cancer: When diagnosed early, almost all women with breast cancer survive for five years or more compared to around 25% of women with late-stage breast cancer.
• Bowel cancer: Around 90% of people with stage 1 bowel cancer survive for 5 years or more, compared to 10% with stage 4 bowel cancer.
• Lung cancer: Around 65% of people diagnosed with stage 1 lung cancer survive for 5 years or more, falling to around 5% of people diagnosed in the advanced stage of the disease.

Many Private Medical Insurers including Bupa and Vitality offer health assessments that may pick up cancer before you have any symptoms. If you do experience symptoms, Private Medical Insurance allows you faster access to appointments and an earlier diagnosis.

Bupa offers a “Direct Access” service where you can call a trained advisor if you are concerned about possible cancer symptoms. You may also be able to access a specialist without first seeing a GP.

Bupa also offers private cancer screening for breast, prostate, testicular, colon and cervical cancer.

Vitality offers cancer risk assessments and targeted cancer screening.

AXA Health’s “Check4Cancer” service offers access to expert support with concerns about breast, skin and prostate cancer leading to a diagnostic appointment (normally within five working days) where appropriate.

Early treatment

Getting treatment for cancer early is vital in determining how effective your treatment is, the long-term impact on your health and your chances of recovery. One of the main benefits of Private Medical Insurance is accessing specialist treatment early.

In England, Scotland and Northern Ireland the current NHS targets for starting cancer treatment 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.

However, according to figures published by the British Medical Association (BMA), NHS waiting times for cancer treatment continue to fall short of government targets.

Private Medical Insurance offers quicker access to a specialist and subsequent treatment. Bupa’s Cancer Promise states that “customers will be referred to a consultant in an average of 6 days and start cancer treatment within 29 days; twice as fast as the published national target of 62 days."

Access to new treatments

Private Medical Insurance often provides patients with access to newer medications and treatments that may not be widely available on the NHS. This may include cutting-edge drugs, therapies, advanced surgical techniques and procedures, the latest technology, and access to clinical trials.

Bupa’s Cancer Promise includes access to breakthrough cancer drugs and treatments, in many cases before they are available on the NHS or approved by NICE. Any new drugs or treatments must be evidence-based and covered by your policy.

Access to specialist doctors and hospitals

With Private Medical Insurance, you’ll have access to a network of private specialist cancer centres and consultants. Depending on your policy, you may be able to choose your doctor and hospital, or your insurance company may recommend the most suitable hospital or specialist for your individual needs.

Other benefits

Many Private Medical Insurers offer additional benefits such as home care, assistance with paying for items such as wigs or prostheses, and access to mental health support and palliative care.

How can I get the best cancer cover for myself and my family?

Finding the right Private Medical Insurance for you and your family depends on your individual circumstances and there is no “one size fits all “policy.

At Morehealth, we’re experts in Private Medical Insurance and have years of experience in comparing the UK’s leading insurers to find the best policy for you at the best price. We are committed to finding the best PMI for you, saving you time and money and ensuring your peace of mind.

Read more on what the top insurers offer for cancer cover in our article on Cancer Cover Compared.

With Morehealth you can also expect continued support with your policy including assisting with claims queries, mid-term changes, negotiating discounts on your existing policy and performing a market review before renewal. We are directly authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA), and as a regulated insurance intermediary, our advice is independent and impartial.

For more information or to speak to an advisor, call us now on 0800 028 5540 or Get a Quote.

FAQ’s

We answer some of your most frequently asked questions about Private Medical Insurance and cancer.

What are some questions to ask before choosing PMI for cancer coverage?

There are many questions to ask before choosing PMI for cancer coverage, including what your policy covers, what is excluded from your policy, what underwriting options are available and the cost of your policy. At Morehealth, we are experts in asking the right questions to ensure the best policy for you.

What does Private Medical Insurance include for cancer?

What your Private Medical Insurance includes depends on your individual policy. Most Private Medical Insurance policies cover cancer treatment either as part of their comprehensive core cover or as an optional extra. Pre-existing conditions are not usually covered by PMI.

Does Private Health Insurance cover radiotherapy?

Most Private Medical Insurers cover standard cancer treatment including radiotherapy, chemotherapy, surgery and other therapies such as immunotherapy. You may also have access to treatments that aren't available on the NHS.

Can I get Private Medical Insurance if my family has a history of cancer?

Yes, you can get Private Medical Insurance if you have a family history of cancer. In some cases, if your family history involves cancer with proven genetic links (such as bowel or breast cancer), you may pay a higher premium.

References and further reading

Obesity and Cancer: A Current Overview of Epidemiology, Pathogenesis, Outcomes, and Management PubMed

Insurance and Cancer Macmillan Cancer Support

Why is early cancer diagnosis important? Cancer Research UK

Private Cancer Treatment Cancer Research UK