Hi,

A warm welcome to Cancer Chat.

I am sorry that you are currently having to wait for a diagnosis for your loved one. Are you a UK citizen? As far as I know, all cancer treatment in the NHS is free, regardless of your employment status. I am not so sure what the position is for those who have only been in the country for a short while, or who are not UK citizens.

I think that you will find that the NHS treatment for cancer is the best path to follow. Some people like to get their diagnosis privately and then transfer into the hands of the NHS, where surgery or further treatment is necessary. There is always the worry that certain procedures will be pushed in private practice, solely for financial gain. The NHS has no such motive.

I have had 3 bouts of breast cancer, first diagnosed 7 years ago and cannot fault my treatment. On each occasion that I have found a lump, I have been seen within 2 weeks, had my test results back a week later and been given a treatment plan on the same day as my results. My surgeon has been exceptional and I have 2 breast cancer nurses who I can contact at any time.

I now have lymphoedema and get manual lymphatic drainage for two weeks out of every twelve. My arms are bandaged up for these 2 weeks. The whole procedure takes about 2 hours and I am seen 4 times in these 2 weeks. I have also had referrals to physiotherapists, cardiologists, orthopaedic surgeons, 2 knee replacements, neurologist, oncologist, urologist, endocrinologist, pain management clinic, alternative therapies, transport to and from hospital. I have also had my own bras fitted with pockets for my prostheses, compression bras supplied, compression sleeves supplied for day and night use, aids supplied to help me to put on my compression garments, mindfullness courses, a huge amount of medication, etc.

There are additional expenses incurred in travelling to all the various clinics, which I have had to bear. These are not inconsiderable, but all in all, I consider myself extremely fortunate to have had all of this for free. There cannot be many countries in the world where the population can benefit from such support at a time when you really need it. I feel very blessed.

I sincerely hope that in your loved ones case, it doesn't come to this and that you don't have much longer to wait for the results.

Please let us know how you both get on. We are always here for you whenever you feel like talking.

Kind regards,

Jolamine xx

That's actually my concern, because I live abroad and won't be able to afford thousands in treatment. 

I plan to move home if I need treatment, but gather you have to be home for 3 months before you're eligible. So I may have to delay treatment until then!

Hi Aharav and Emily S,

If you are entitled to NHS treatment all your cancer treatment on the NHS will be free at the point of care. This is because you have paid for it through your taxes and National Insurance payments. You may also qualify for Personal Independence Payments to help meet some of the extra costs of having cancer - this is not means-tested everyone meeting the criteria gets it.

There has been a lot of publicity about so-called health tourism in recent years and the rules have been tightened up. 

Citizens Advice have some good guidance on who qualifies for free NHS care. See 

www.citizensadvice.org.uk/.../

Going private might help you avoid having long waits for diagnostic services and there may be some procedures which aren't approved by NICE for the NHS on grounds of cost-effectiveness but by and large you will receive the same treatment, often from the same clinicians.

Best wishes
Dave

Thanks Dave - that's very helpful. 

So - yes, I may have to wait 3 months for treatment. :(