Cancer.NET overview of NETs

NHS Guide to Gastrointestinal Neuroendocrine and Carcinoid Tumours

Annals of Oncology – Symposium Article on NETs

Annals of Gastroenterology – Biology and Management of Gastric NETs

The Oncologist – Carcinoid Tumours

American Journal of Roentgenology – Carcinoid Tumours of the Stomach

Multidisciplinary Symposium – Neuroendocrine Tumours

Carcinoid Founation – A Review of Carcinoid Disease

National Cancer Institute – Gastrointestinal Carcinoid Tumors Treatment

Macmillan – Carcinoid Tumours

Preparation for getting travel insurance

Before contacting travel insurance companies you may find it helpful to prepare by having certain information ready.

This list includes many of the things an insurance company will want to know. Some of the questions may seem very personal, but your answers will give an insurer the information they need to help them decide what cover they are prepared to offer you, and what price they will charge.

A typical telephone medical screening process will take, on average 5-10 minutes. If you have, or have had, other conditions as well as cancer you may be asked similar questions about those.

You should be aware that if you do not disclose information that you could reasonably be expected to know when you buy a policy, any subsequent claim that you make could be refused.

Personal information

• The name and ages of all those to be insured by the policy – some insurance companies will insist that family or friends travelling with you are insured on the same policy
• Your address and contact details

About your trip

• The country you are visiting and the type of journey you plan to take. If you have a choice about where you travel, you may consider visiting Europe rather than North America because travel insurance could be cheaper
• How long you plan to stay abroad
• How far in advance you are booking your trip. Some companies will charge you a higher premium if you will not be travelling in the near future, because they believe there could be a higher risk of you making a claim for cancellation
• Any activities you will be undertaking that might be considered a higher risk, such as winter sports

Medical information

A company may ask if you have a pre-existing medical condition, such as cancer. If your answer is ‘yes’ you are likely to be asked more questions about this. Some companies call this their ‘medical screening process’. An insurance company may ask you the following:

• How long ago were you diagnosed with cancer?
• Where is/was your cancer?
• Has your cancer spread? If yes, where?
• Are you undergoing any treatment or taking any medication at the moment?
• Have you had any surgery for cancer in the past?
• Have you any planned treatment or surgery for cancer? If so, when?
• How many times have you seen a doctor (GP or consultant) about your cancer? Some companies ask you about the last time you visited your doctor for any reason, not just about visits related to your cancer. For example, if you are going for check ups to make sure you stay well, some companies may consider you a higher risk to insure
• What symptoms or side-effects do you have now?
• What stage are you at in your cancer journey? Some companies will ask you about your prognosis. This can be an upsetting question to answer but prognosis may be one of the criteria that a company uses to decide who to cover

To consider

If you have taken cancer-related exclusions on your policy you should think about how you will pay for any medical expense that is not covered.

• Find out about medical treatment facilities at your destination
• Think about what you will do if you lose any medication you take or if you have it stolen from your bags when you are abroad
• Think about the type of transport you will be using to get to your destination. For example, a plane journey may not be suitable if you are having certain types of cancer treatment
• If you are being sent abroad specifically for your treatment, insurance is only one of a number of important issues that you will need to consider. We strongly recommend that you discuss these with your medical team

European Health Insurance Card

The European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) has replaced the E111 form, which is no longer valid. Some insurers will insist that you carry the EHIC when travelling to Europe as their travel insurance policies may not be valid if you do not have the card.

The EHIC means that you are entitled to emergency treatment within the European Economic Area (EEA) for free or at a reduced cost. You will get the same care as the people who live in the country you are visiting, but you might not be covered for all the things you would expect to get free of charge from the NHS in the UK. For example, the EHIC will not cover the cost of ambulance services or of bringing you and your family back to the UK. What’s more, you may have to make a contribution to the cost of any other care you need. This is why the government strongly advises all UK travellers to buy separate travel insurance, as well as carrying the EHIC.

Apply for a European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) at Department of Health, Tel: 0845 606 2030 www.dh.gov.uk/travellers. You can also get an application form at your local post office.

Travel insurance companies and brokers

Please find below a list of insurance companies and brokers that you may like to try calling for a travel insurance quote, as well as some financial organisations that can help you in your search.

Please note that in providing information Macmillan Cancer Support cannot give you advice about travel insurance. Macmillan Cancer Support cannot guarantee that you will be able to obtain cover. Macmillan Cancer Support is not endorsing any travel insurance product.

InsureCancer
76 Crooksbury Road
Farnham
Surrey
GU10 1QD
Tel: 01252 780 190
Email: enquiries@InsureCancer.com
Website: www.insurecancer.com

Insure Pink

Equity Insurance Brokers Limited
Registered office: Library House
New Road
Brentwood
Essex
CM14 4gd
Tel: 08000 22 32 13
Email: enquiries@insurepink.co.uk
Website: www.insurepink.co.uk

The Insurance Surgery
Specialist Independent Broker
King Edward House
1 Jordangate
Macclesfield
Cheshire
SK10 1ES
Tel: 0800 083 2829 Fax: 0870 458 7956
Email: enquiry@the-insurance-surgery.co.uk
Website: http://www.the-insurance-surgery.co.uk/illness/cancer/insurance.php?ref=175

Marks and Spencer
Civic Drive
Ipswich
Suffolk
IP1 2AN
Freephone: 0800 731 2424
Website: www.marksandspencer.com

Free Spirit Travel Insurance
Stansted House
Rolands Castle
Hampshire PO9 6DX
Tel: 0845 230 5000
Website: www.free-spirit.com

Manor Insurance Services (Broker)
123/124 Queens Road
Hastings
East Sussex
TN34 1RP
Tel 0800 027 6171 or 01424 718790
Fax: 01424 718 761
Email: insure@manorinsurance.co.uk
Website: www.manorinsurance.co.uk

It’s So Easy Travel Insurance
27 Old Gloucester Street
London
WC1N 3XX
Tel: 0845 222 4205
Email: hello@itssoeasytravelinsurance.com
Website: www.itssoeasytravelinsurance.com

Holiday Services Limited
Kedleston Close
Huthwaite
Nottingham
NG17 2SE
Tel: 01623 407 321
Email: info@holidayservices.org.uk
Website:  www.holidayservices.org.uk

Insure and Go Insurance Services Limited (Broker)
Insure & Go Insurance Services Ltd
Maitland House
Warrior Square
Southend-on-Sea
Essex SS1 2AA
Tel: 0870 901 3674
Email: information@insureandgo.com
Website: www.insureandgo.com

All Clear Travel Insurance (Broker)
6th Floor, Regent House
Hubert Road
Brentwood
Essex CM14 4JE
Tel: 0871 208 8500
Website: www.allcleartravel.co.uk
Email: info@bishopscourtas.co.uk

FOGG Travel Insurance Services Limited (Broker)
Crow Hill Drive
Mansfield
Nottinghamshire
NG19 7AE
Tel: 01623 631331
Fax: 01623 420450
Email: sales@foggtravelinsurance.com
Website: www.foggtravelinsurance.com

MARRS Insurance Broker (Broker)
Towergate Risk Solutions North London
288 Chase Road
Southgate
London
N14 6HF
Tel: 020 8920 1234
Fax: 020 8920 1230

Protected Future
Protected Future Limited
PO Box 432
Tonbridge
Kent
TN9 9DR
Tel:  0845 880 0158 (Mon-Fri 8am-8pm, Sat 9am-6pm, Sun 10am-4pm.)
Switchboard: 0845 880 0158
Email: info@protectedfuture.co.uk
Website: http://www.protectedfuture.co.uk

Travelbility
Peregrine House
Falconry Court
Bakers Lane
Epping
Essex
CM16 5DQ
Tel: 0845 338 1638
Fax: 01992 566901
Email: enquiries@travelbility.co.uk
Website: www.travelbility.co.uk

Medici Travel Insurance
Advertiser House
19 Bartlett Street
Croydon
CR2 6TB
Tel: 0845 880 0168
Email: customer.services@medicitravel.com
Website: www.medicitravel.com

Financial services that can help

The Financial Services Authority (FSA) is the UK’s financial watchdog, set up by the government to regulate financial services and protect your rights. The FSA also provides clear, impartial information about financial products and services to help make money matters clearer for you.

Financial Services Authority (FSA)
Consumer Helpline 0845 606 1234 (call rates may vary)
Minicom/Textphone 0845 734 0104
Open Monday to Friday 8am to 6pm
www.moneymadeclear.fsa.gov.uk

Finding a qualified insurance broker

Association of British Insurers
www.abi.org.uk

British Insurance Brokers Association (BIBA)
Consumer Helpline 0870 950 1790
www.biba.org.uk

Macmillan Better Deal Campaign Line
Freephone 0800 500 800
Open Monday to Friday 8am to 8pm
Open Saturday 9am to 12 noon
www.macmillan.org.uk/betterdeal

NB: Macmillan Cancer Support does not offer travel insurance or recommend insurance brokers or insurance companies.

Unbreakable by Lindsey Hunter is published by HarperCollins, priced £12.99 and tells the story of Lindsey and her ‘Prince Charming’ the snooker star Paul Hunter through their young romance to his death from NETs at the age of just 26.
You can click on this link to read Lindsey’s recent account of her husband’s illness in the Daily Mail. Click here to read article

Contact us with a book review.

“The Anatomy of Hope, by Dr Jerome Groopman, published by Simon and Schuster, 2004 ISBN: 0-7422-6390-1

Love, Medicine and Miracles, by Dr Bernie Siegel, published Rider, 1999 ISBN: 0-7126-7046-7

It’s Not About the Bike, by Lance Armstrong, published by Yellow Jersey Press, 2001

ISBN: 0-2240-6087-2

I have also found these books very useful:

Fighting Cancer from Within, by Dr Martin L. Rossman, published by Henry Holt & Company, 2003 ISBN: 0-0850-6916-X

What to Eat if You Have Cancer, by Maureen Keane and Daniella Chace, published by Contemporary Books, 1996 ISBN:0-8092-3261-8 – a guide to adding nutritional therapy to your treatment plan

The Power of Food – Cancer: Food, Facts and Recipes, by Dr Clare Shaw (recipes by Sara Lewis), published by Hamlyn, 2005 ISBN: 0-600-61110-8 – written in collaboration with the Royal Marsden Hospital, London

How to Prevent and Treat Cancer with Natural Medicine, by Dr Michael Murray, Dr Tim Birdsall, Dr Joseph E. Pizzorno and Dr Paul Reilly, published by The Berkley Publishing Group, 2002 ISBN: 1-5732-222-4

Guided Imagery for Self-Healing, by Dr Martin L Rossman, published by H J Kramer, 2000 ISBN: 0-915811-88-X

Learned Optimism: How to change your mind and your life, by Martin Seligman, published by Pocket Books ISBN: 0-6710-1911-2

Anatomy of an Illness: As perceived By the Patient, by Norman Cousins, published by W W Norton & Company, 1979 ISBN: 0-3930-4190-5

Cancer Fitness, by Anna L. Schwartz, published by Fireside,2004 ISBN: 0-7432-3801-X

The Importance of Living, by Lin Yutang, published by William Heinemann Ltd, 1938

The Cancer Directory, by Dr Rosy Daniel, published by HarperThorsons, 2005

ISBN: 0-0071-5427-5

Man’s Search for Meaning, by Victor Frankl, published by 2004 by Random House

ISBN: 1-8441-3239-0

The Okinawa Diet Plan, by Bradley Wilcox, Craig Wilcox and Makoto Suzuki, published by Three Rivers Press, 2004 ISBN: 1-4000-8200-5

I hope this is helpful. ”

Another Kid in the Kitchen

Recipes for Kids to Eat and Make.

Proceeds from this book go to the “Quiet Cancer Appeal” at the Royal Free Hospital.

Click for Amazon

Peter Gwilliam, the husband of the late Liddy Oldroyd says Deborah Hutton’s book contains ‘invaluable practical information’ for everyone who knows a cancer patient.

Peter was a friend of the late author, who had been a close friend of his own late wife, Liddy and had been a great support through Liddy’s illness..

Peter, a founder of Living with Carcinoid, writes:

‘’Deborah Hutton and Liddy were at York University together. Debs went on to become health and beauty editor at Vogue magazine, while Liddy went on to become a TV comedy director, winning numerous awards for her work.

In November 2004 Debs was diagnosed with lung cancer – she gave up smoking 23 years prior – and she died in July 2005. But she wrote this book in that time. It provides excellent practical examples of how friends and family can help to make a really substantial difference after a cancer diagnosis.

The book – What Can I Do to Help?- contains contributions from a host of celebrities, politicians and people with high profile. She was very well connected, and able to gather this wonderful advice in a very short time.

The book was launched at the Palace of Westminster, residence of Lord Charlie Falconer, just days before she died. PM Tony Blair attended and even though she was very ill she spent 15 minutes talking to him about the perils of teenage smoking.

Sadly she died soon afterwards but there was another legacy – an Internet blog diary she wrote about her experiences of diagnosis and treatment contained some sensational pieces of writing.’’