Breast cancer affects around 55,500* women a year, yet only around 370* men per year. For this reason, there is a common misconception that breast cancer can only be diagnosed in women, but the reality is that breast cancer can appear in men too.
Many men are unaware of the signs of breast cancer – or that they can even be diagnosed with this condition.
Checking for breast cancer should be part of a daily routine whatever gender you are. You can do this easily be checked at home. To check for any usual signs, simply apply pressure around the breast and under the armpits. Looking for lumps or any abnormalities, and squeeze the nipple to check for any discharge. Symptoms to look out for can include a painless lump on the breast, an inverted nipple or an abnormal change in the breast’s shape or size. If you notice any of these symptoms, it is important that you get checked. This can help you can receive treatment as quickly as possible.
Being diagnosed with breast cancer, regardless of your gender, can be quite a shock. So, it’s no surprise that many people look to book a holiday abroad and take a break from everyday life following a diagnosis. However, many people find that suitable travel insurance can cost much more after a diagnosis. This is because of their new medical condition, which can mean that finding appropriate cover is much harder.
One of the reasons those with a cancer diagnosis can find travel insurance hard to find is that some insurers can refuse to offer cover. This can be due to the increased risk of someone with a medical condition travelling abroad and potentially become unwell while they’re out there. Some insurers also don’t have as much awareness of how the condition can affect individuals. They may increase the price of a policy due to the associated risk. This can be a barrier for anyone looking for protection.
Unfortunately, in some cases, the price of a policy or not being able to find suitable cover can cause some people to go on holiday without travel insurance protection. This leaves leaves them at risk of paying out thousands if they need emergency medical treatment while abroad. As well as not be covered for medical assistance and repatriation costs. They could also be left without cover for other mishaps during a getaway. These can include trip cancellation, delays and loss of possessions, for example.
We understand that travelling abroad after a breast cancer diagnosis can sometimes feel a little daunting. And finding the right travel insurance protection for your trip can often feel overwhelming. However, it’s so important that if you are diagnosed with breast cancer, you let your travel insurance provider know as soon as possible. This helps to ensure that protection is in place, where possible.
At Insurancewith, we believe that, where possible, everyone should have the right to affordable travel insurance. Everyone deserves to enjoy a holiday abroad without having to break the bank when buying travel insurance.
In fact, Insurancewith was created with this very reason in mind. Back in 2005, Fiona Macrae, founder of Insurancewith, was diagnosed with primary breast cancer after noticing changes in her breast. After 8 cycles of chemotherapy, Fiona wanted to take a break abroad with her family. However, she found that the travel insurance offered to her cost more than the holiday. She was bombarded with intrusive and inappropriate questions. This led to Fiona launching Insurancewith in 2010. Her aim was to bring accessible and affordable travel insurance to the market for people with medical conditions.
Insurancewith is different to other medical travel insurance providers as it uses a bespoke medical screening tool called Protectif. Protectif asks a series of questions during the quote process to get a deeper understanding of the individual’s medical condition and lifestyle. As a result, Insurancewith can, where possible, offer a quote that is specific to the individuals’ circumstances.
Insurancewith offers specialist medical travel insurance policies for a range of different medical conditions. After all, we know that not all cancers are the same and that treatment can be different for everyone.
If you’d like to get a quote with us, you can do this online or over the phone with one of our trained advisers.
Breast cancer, whether in males or females, can be a tough and stressful experience to live through. No one should feel like they are fighting this battle alone. There are lots of different support groups and charities the specialise in cancer care. They are available for those who may have some questions or just need general support.
Here are some support lines that you can get in contact with:
Macmillan Support Line: 0808 808 0000
Cancer Research UK: 0808 800 4040
Breast Cancer Now: 0808 800 6000
The National Hereditary Breast & Ovarian Cancer Helpline: 01629 813 000
*Statistics based on information provided by Cancer Research UK. More information can be found here.
