Cancer treatment. - NHS or Private?

[coffeemonster23]

Hi all, NC for this but long time user.

I have a suspicious lump in my breast and under arm. The GP has referred me for tests, mammograms, ultra sounds and biopsy. She spoke very openly and suggested cancer was highly likely.

I have private medical insurance through work but have never used it so have no experience of the private medical world.

Would you use the NHS or go private for these tests and potential treatment?

I know it sounds silly but I feel comfortable with the NHS, I know how it works. But I've also heard of friends and family having to wait ages for tests and treatment. Does that still happen in private?

Does anyone have good or bad experiences from choosing one Over the other?

Thanks in advance.

The NHS are excellent for breast lumps. I was seen and treated quickly. What’s the reputation of your local nhs breast clinic like? Ours is excellent,

Thanks for all of your replies. I hope those that have had, or are having treatment are doing well!

I've checked my policy and I will be covered for all costs including prescriptions. I'm feeling very fortunate that our company has a very good policy with no excess to pay.

My policy does state that I could get £100 cash benefit for each days treatment of chemo or radiotherapy, so depending on how much treatment I may need, I could actually save some money by having it on the NHS. To be honest this could come in very handy if I have end up having time off work! Never thought I'd be in this position, it all seems like it's a story happening to someone else.

More tests on Friday and follow up with my consultant.

I've joined the other thread and finding that very postcode, thank you x

I was diagnosed with breast cancer 2 years after my friend. She had private insurance, I didn't. We live in the same area. Our waiting times and actual treatment plan (chemo / radio etc) were identical - we even had the same surgeon. However, when we had our treatment hers was more luxurious and comfortable. It was in the same hospital but she was in the private area. So her chemo was in a private room with a bed, whereas mine was on a busy ward with a reclining chair; I was given a packet of cheese sandwiches whereas she had a fancy prawn salad on a plate followed by desert; when she saw her oncologist it was in a swish room with comfortable seats whereas we waited ages and were perched on the edge of plastic seats. So her experience was a little more comfortable but im terms of the op, the drugs used, the time scale etc everything was identical. Her follow on care seems better than mine in the sense that she seems to have more time to talk things through with the onc whereas I'm straight in and out after a few quick questions. So overall, if you can get your private treatment in the same hospital as your NHS treatment then I woukd go private. The only downside for private is that you don't get allocated a Macmillan nurse. I think this is a big minus point as I found mine invaluable for all those little questions and niggles and they are often more approachable than the surgeons/ oncs. I know that my friend didn't have a Macmillan nurse.

I think the key question is whether treatment will be in the same hospital. If so, I'd go private. If it's an inferior hospital then stick to nhs.

Have you decided what to do? I had cancer on the NHs and was treated incredibly well. I did get DH to bring me food though when I had to stay in hospital. Just to let you know that when you’re diagnosed with cancer you get free NHS prescriptions. That’s fir everything, not just cancer treatment. You’re also classed as disabled too.
I hope your journey is as easy and smooth as these journeys can be.