When cancer spreads from the place where it first started (the primary site) to other parts of the body, it is called metastatic cancer. When this occurs, cancer cells can be found in other organs or tissues such as distant lymph nodes, the liver, lungs, or bones.
Importantly, when cancer spreads it retains the identity of the original cancer. For example, if breast cancer spreads to the liver, it is still breast cancer. This is referred to as ‘metastatic breast cancer (stage IV) with liver metastases’. Because the tumour in the liver is made up of breast cancer cells, it is treated with breast cancer treatments.
Similarly, if prostate cancer spreads to the bones, it is called ‘metastatic prostate cancer with bone metastases’ and is treated using prostate cancer therapies.
In most cases, metastatic cancer cannot be completely cured. However, it can often be treated and controlled, with the aim of slowing the cancer’s growth, relieving symptoms, and maintaining quality of life for as long as possible.
Depending on the type of cancer and how well it responds to treatment, people live with metastatic cancer for many months or even years.
Because metastatic cancer involves multiple sites in the body and may affect vital organs, its management can be complex. Treatment strategies often involve a multimodal approach, combining therapies such as surgery, radiotherapy, chemotherapy, targeted therapies, or immunotherapy.
Why do insurers often decline cover for metastatic cancer?
Apart from InsureCancer, all UK travel insurers rely on automated screening questionnaires to assess medical risk. These box-ticking systems are designed to identify higher-risk conditions and frequently automatically decline applications from individuals with metastatic cancer. This can be deeply frustrating for those who have settled into their treatment regimens and are essentially stable and well for a therapeutic holiday abroad.
As metastatic cancer can involve vital organs and unpredictable complications, many insurers consider it too complex to assess, this is because they are limited to automated screening are unable to carry out an individual detailed risk assessment.
However, many people living with metastatic cancer remain clinically stable for long periods, and travel is important for their wellbeing and quality of life. But complications can occasionally occur, resulting in unplanned hospital admissions. When travelling abroad, hospitalisation can be expensive – so reliable travel insurance is particularly important.
Unlike most insurers, InsureCancer specialises in advanced and metastatic cancer and routinely offers tailored travel insurance to individuals who have been declined elsewhere.
How does InsureCancer assesses metastatic cancer
Because metastatic cancer can vary greatly between individuals, InsureCancer uses a very personalised and individual underwriting approach.
With your consent, we will contact your attending oncologist to obtain further details about your clinical history and current treatment. Drawing on our detailed understanding of cancer treatments and protocols, we assess each application individually.
In addition to your medical history, we also consider:
- the stability of your condition
- your current treatment plan
- any recommendations from your oncologist
- your destination
- the duration of your trip
This personalised assessment allows InsureCancer to offer cover to those with metastatic cancer who have been declined by other insurers.
Travelling with metastatic cancer
Many people living with metastatic cancer remain on active treatment, so it is important to involve your consultant or specialist nurse early when planning a trip.
Your specialist can advise on:
- the best timing of travel in relation to your treatment cycle
- how to manage medications while travelling abroad
- ways to reduce health risks during travel
In our experience, clinicians often recommend avoiding particularly remote or adventurous destinations, such as safaris, Everest base camp expeditions or remote islands etc., where rapid access to high-quality medical care may be limited.
The importance of full medical disclosure
Travel insurance screening questions used by insurers can sometimes be difficult to interpret, particularly for people with complex conditions such as metastatic cancer. Misunderstanding a question or making an incomplete declaration could invalidate your policy.
Because InsureCancer does not rely on automated screening questionnaires, our customers benefit from a direct and personalised assessment, helping ensure that medical details are fully understood and accurately recorded.
The bottom line
A diagnosis of metastatic cancer does not mean that you cannot have a holiday abroad. While most insurers decline cover for individuals with metastatic cancer, InsureCancer offers a more personalised approach and specialises in providing individually tailored travel insurance.
If you are living with metastatic cancer and considering a holiday abroad, InsureCancer can help you explore your options with clarity, understanding, and compassion.