Don’t wait for answers Tina’s story
Excited for her holiday and trying on swimwear, Tina reflects back to when she first found a lump. Overwhelmed with uncertainty and thinking the worst, Tina found respite in Bupa.
Finding a lump or bump is scary enough without an anxious wait to see a doctor. With Bupa cancer cover, you don’t need to speak with a GP before coming to us. If you’re worried about cancer and you have our Direct Access service, you can call us directly.
We’ll give you clear advice on what to do next and get the answers you need as soon as possible. So, you’re not putting life on hold.
Guess who's about to jet off on a holiday?
I was seeing if this still fits when I found the lump.
Of course, you start to think the worst.
How bad is it?
How do I tell my husband?
Will we have to cancel our trip?
I needed someone to start giving me answers.
That's when I called Bupa.
They saw me within two days.
Thankfully, I was given the all clear.
We're really going to enjoy this holiday.
Our cancer promise
Being diagnosed with cancer is one of the most difficult times of your life. That’s why we promise that if you’re diagnosed with cancer, we’ll look after you, from diagnosis to treatment. We’ll do this for as long as you have Bupa health insurance with cancer cover included.
Cancer cover and Direct Access
With Bupa cancer cover and Direct Access, you can call us as soon as you have symptoms. Depending on your cover and your symptoms, we may be able to book you in with a specialist there and then. See more about cancer Direct Access.
Important points about our cancer promise:
- With Bupa full cancer cover, there are no limits on how long your treatment lasts or how much it costs, for as long as you have Bupa health cover.
- Some policies do have limits that you or your employer may have opted for. If you’ve opted to put a limit on your policy, we’ll cover costs up to that limit.
- You’ll need to use a hospital from the Bupa network.
- You’ll also need to see a fee-assured consultant. This is a consultant that we recognise and who charges within Bupa rates.
- Everyone’s policy is individual. You may not be covered for some conditions or treatments. Check your cover documents or speak to us if you’re not sure.
Specialist Centres for cancer
Specialist Centres for Breast and Bowel Cancer can provide all initial tests in one visit. Meaning you could get the all-clear in a single visit.
Specialist Centres for breast cancer
You can get an appointment at a Specialist Centre within two working days of you contacting us.
Specialist Centres for bowel cancer
You can get an appointment within four working days of calling us. We’ll send the pre-medicines you’ll need directly to you in the post.
Our cancer promise includes:
Cancer Direct Access
Speak to us about your symptoms. We’ll check that you’re covered and advise on your next steps. Depending on your cover and symptoms, this could include getting you an appointment there and then.
No financial or time limits
If your symptoms and treatments are covered by your policy, we’ll cover the cost of your care as long as you need it. We’ll do this for as long as you have Bupa health insurance with cancer cover included. Some policies do have limits that you or your employer may have opted for. If you’ve opted to put a limit on your policy, we’ll cover costs up to that limit.
Specialist oncology support team
Our oncology team will be there for you with understanding and advice. They can offer vital support if you need to make difficult decisions.
Access to qualified counsellors
You can take comfort in knowing our trained counsellors are there for you. They can provide emotional and psychological support when you need it.
Treatment across the country and in your home
You'll have access to our network of cancer specialist centres and hospitals. You can also get chemotherapy treatment in the comfort of your own home.
Access to effective treatments
Access to breakthrough cancer drugs and treatments, often before they are available on the NHS or approved by NICE. This is as long as they’re evidence-based and covered by your policy.
Individual and employee cover
Our cancer cover is here to help you, whether you have cover as an individual or as an employee.
Specialist advisers
You can speak to a named specialist nurse or adviser who will help manage your care. They’ll be there for you throughout your journey.
Support at every stage
We can support you from diagnosis to treatment. And for palliative care too, if you need it. Everyone’s cover is individual, and you may have some limits or exclusions on your policy. Check your cover documents or speak to us if you need help.
Member stories
Our members inspire us every day with their stories and we’re here to help them control their conditions, supporting them as soon as they need it.
Kathy battled cancer and depression
Kathy struggled with her mental health when she was diagnosed with cancer. Without a family to lean on it became hard for her to carry it all. We helped Kathy in her cancer battle, and we supported her with her depression too. Find out how she overcame her struggle and got her mental health back on track.
It's only now I'm out of the tunnel that I can really appreciate how dark it was
I was diagnosed with cancer twice and needed two big operations on my liver
I'm not from a big family, so I felt like I had no one to lean on
It was overwhelming, it got so hard for me to carry it all there was so much pressure and I was frightened
I was struggling with depression
I just remember going into a room and screaming and screaming and screaming
I couldn't go on, that's when I knew I couldn't deal with it myself
I was a Bupa member so I gave them a call
the oncology team were there for me straight away
I realised I wasn't on my own anymore
Bupa looked after me from that moment on and the help and counselling I've had from the mental health nurses has been excellent
they let me get everything off my chest
I feel like I'm having a coffee with a friend, just talking it over knowing I could speak to someone when I needed to has been a lifeline for me
I've never had to worry about my cover, no matter how long it took or how much it cost
Bupa just took care of it all and they will do, even if my illness comes back
Bupa's helped me to regain myself I don't know where I'd be without them
Bowel cancer
awareness
Your risk of bowel cancer increases with age. It's also affected by your family history and lifestyle, such as if you smoke.
Breast cancer
awareness
Breast awareness means knowing how your breasts look and feel to help you recognise any changes. This can help catch cancer early.
Prostate cancer
awareness
Prostate cancer is an abnormal and uncontrolled growth of cells found in your prostate gland. It’s the most common cancer in men in the UK.
If you’re diagnosed with cancer and have health insurance with Bupa, we will continue to support you. Both our health insurance policies - Comprehensive and Treatment and Care - include the option to add cancer cover to your policy. With each of these insurance policies you have full Cancer Cover added to your policy.
If you choose to add our full cancer cover option to your Bupa health insurance policy, all of your eligible treatment costs are paid in full. If your cover is provided by your employer, please check your certificate or guide to see which specific list of advanced therapies your employer has selected as it may not cover all advanced therapies. You must use a healthcare facility from your chosen Bupa network and a Bupa-recognised consultant who agrees to charge within our limits (a fee-assured consultant). We’re here every step of the way; from your cancer diagnosis to your treatment.
Yes, we don’t take family history of cancer into account when deciding whether or not to offer cover to a new customer.
We don’t cover conditions that you’ve had before getting Bupa health insurance. We will cover any cancer that spreads or returns, providing you’ve already got full cancer cover with our health insurance. There are no financial or time limits on our cover, as long as you’re covered under your health insurance policy.
We don’t cover conditions that you’ve had before getting Bupa health insurance. We don’t pay for treatments that are not evidence-based. The only exception is when the treatment is part of a clinical trial, the protocols of which have been reviewed and approved by us. Our dedicated support team can help guide you through what cancer treatment is right for you - we’ll be with you every step of the way.
^We may record or monitor our calls. Lines are open Monday to Friday 8am to 8pm and Saturday 9am to 12.30pm.
‡‡With Bupa full cancer cover, there are no limits on how long your treatment lasts or how much it costs, for as long as you have Bupa health insurance with full cancer cover. If you or your employer set a maximum benefit limit, either for each renewal year or the full length of time that you’re with us, we’ll cover eligible costs until you reach your limit. You must use a hospital or health centre from the Bupa network and a consultant that we recognise and charges within Bupa rates (a fee-assured consultant). If your cover is provided by your employer, please check your certificate or guide to see which specific list of advanced therapies your employer has selected as it may not cover all advanced therapies.
‡Any onward referrals for consultations, tests or treatment are subject to the benefits and exclusions of your cover. For example, if your cover excludes conditions you had before your cover started, we may ask for further information from your GP. Please check your guide and certificate for further details or contact us to check your eligibility.
†††Access to eligible breakthrough cancer drugs and treatments often before they are available on the NHS or approved by NICE as long as they are evidence based. Applies to eligible cancer drugs and treatments covered by your policy. Bupa will not fund for genetic testing when used solely for the purpose of screening.
Bupa health insurance is provided by Bupa Insurance Limited. Registered in England and Wales No. 3956433. Bupa Insurance Limited is authorised by the Prudential Regulation Authority and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority and the Prudential Regulation Authority. Arranged and administered by Bupa Insurance Services Limited, which is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. Registered in England and Wales No. 3829851. Registered office: 1 Angel Court, London EC2R 7HJ
Page last reviewed: 22/06/23
