How private medical insurance can help you cope with cancer
Tuesday 28 November, 2023
Cancer impacts so many of us
Cancer is a disease that leaves very few of us untouched. Statistics from Cancer Research UK suggest that as many as one in two people born after 1960 will be diagnosed with some form of the disease over the course of their lifetime.
That’s the kind of statistic that makes you think. Little wonder that one of the most common questions clients ask is whether private medical insurance covers the disease. With soaring waiting times and the NHS stretched like never before, it’s one that has assumed ever greater importance.
The simple answer is, yes. Private medical insurance can cover all types of cancer.
What benefits can private medical insurance deliver?
Private treatment for cancer can give you shorter waiting times, a choice of hospitals and access to a wider range of better medicines and treatments, some of which are unavailable on the NHS. Most importantly, it provides you with the peace of mind that if you were diagnosed with the disease, there’s a policy tailored for you to tackle it head on. It’s important to emphasise that private healthcare never competes with the NHS, one of the country’s most treasured institutions. Instead, they work hand-in-hand, with the level of integration between the two very much your choice.
Prevention is always better than cure
According to Cancer Research UK cancer risk statistics, around four in 10 UK cancer cases are preventable each year. That’s an extraordinary figure and one which illustrates why a range of varied health insurance policies do all they can to encourage people to live healthy lives and make better health choices. Whether that’s support for quitting smoking or discounted gym memberships, these policies are designed to put your health first.
Early diagnosis can make a huge difference
Cancer treatment has come a long way, with survival rates (people who live for five years or more) up to 90% for common forms of the disease, such as bowel, breast and ovarian cancer, if they are caught early. The range of tools available to you via your private health insurance are both enormous and impressive, making that early diagnosis far more likely.
Treatment without delay
Once a diagnosis has been made, it’s imperative for treatment to start as quickly as possible. One of the greatest benefits of any private medical insurance policy is the ability to skip NHS waiting times. Even small delays can have a big impact. Private medical insurance can also open up a world of treatment options, which may not ordinarily be available to you on the NHS. Some policies even include the option of home-delivered chemotherapy and, in the worst cases, palliative care at home too.
Choosing the right policy
Burcu Kaya, Protection Adviser in Enfield Town, North London said:
“There are a range of options – and we’re here to help you make the choice which best fits your circumstances and your future and we can make sure you get all the information you need to decide whether private medical insurance is the right option for you.”
Call Thomas Oliver UK LLP on 01707 872000 or drop us an email on enquiries@thomasoliveruk.co.uk
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