Disclaimer

Although we take care to ensure accuracy, Macmillan Cancer Support does not accept liability for the information and materials provided or referenced in Ask an Expert or for any errors or omissions in them, or for third-party information or services such as other websites we may link to. The information and materials provided or referenced in Ask an Expert are for information purposes only and are not intended to be legal, financial or medical advice or opinions. If you need more details on your rights, please contact a financial, legal or other appropriate adviser.

We recommend that you consult your doctor if you are concerned about your health. Any You should not rely on any information and materials provided or referenced in Ask an Expert including by our Experts as they are not a replacement for advice, diagnosis or treatment from your medical team, and our Experts cannot provide a second opinion to that of your medical team.

Your question can be read by others – so please don't post your contact details or any other information that could personally identify you. Please read our Terms and Conditions and Community Guidelines for more details.

Advice

Former Member
Former Member
  • 1 reply
  • 43 subscribers
  • 482 views

My Husband was a UK permanent resident and went for an extended stay to see family in the United States. Whilst there two major events happened. Firstly he was diagnosed with stage four lung cancer which subsequently moved to his bones and secondly with the shock of his diagnosis we did not renew his UK residency permit. We have had to start the process of getting him back to UK from the beginning. My husband started a combination of chemo and immunotherapy which is currently given every three weeks and has started to stabilise his cancer. UK visa rules require that a successful applicant is given 30 days to arrive from the date of being granted a visa. I am trying to be pro-active about potential treatment for when he arrives. An oncologist has said that as his treatment started in another country he would not be eligible for treatment under the NHS. I am now trying to find a way of being re-united with him here and exploring the route of private insurance for cancer patients. Can anyone advise us of our options here or does anyone know of a company that accepts pre existing conditions and would cover him for treatment. I suspect the cost could be beyond our means.

Thank You

Pol

  • Dear Pol,

    Thank you for getting in touch. My name is Rachel, I’m one of the Cancer Information Nurses on the support Line. Welcome to the online community.

    I am sorry to read about your husbands’ recent diagnosis. It must be a difficult time for you both, especially given the complexity of your situation. It’s understandable that you want to be together while your husband is going through treatment.

    You may want to call NHS England on 0300 311 2233. They can offer free advice and confidential information about returning to the UK for treatment. If your husband is eligible for NHS treatment in the UK, it is possible for this to be continued within the UK even if started in a different country. There are potentially different treatments between the UK and the United States. It may be that it is not the same treatment, but the oncologist would discuss treatment options with him.

    If he is eligible, he would need to be registered with a GP to be referred to the appropriate team, unfortunately this process may take some time but can be requested as an urgent referral. To take the first steps, your husband should ask his current oncologist for a covering letter with details of his diagnosis and treatment plan to be sent to the GP.

    In the event that you establish your husband does not fulfil the criteria for NHS care, there is the potential to discuss accessing private treatment. If you would like to research private treatment The Private Healthcare Information Network is a search engine for private treatment and investigations. The GP may also be aware of consultants who have private clinics.

    The other consideration may be your husband’s fitness to travel due to his diagnosis and while he is receiving cancer treatment. It is likely that any airline would want a doctors letter confirming that he would be able to withstand the journey. He would also need a specialist insurance policy to cover him for the journey back to the UK.

    As we are unable to recommend specific medical insurance companies, you may find this information on health insurance and cancer helpful.

    I hope that this information is helpful. If you have any other questions, please don’t hesitate to get in touch again. We often find that we can help people more by talking to them directly. A conversation may make it easier to explore complex or emotional issues. You can speak to one of our experienced cancer information nurses by calling our free helpline on 0808 808 00 00 7 days a week 8am – 8pm. 

    Best Wishes

    Rachel (Cancer information and support nurse specialist)

    Our ref: KHar

Help us do whatever it takes, because we’ve never been needed more.

© Macmillan Cancer Support 2026 © Macmillan Cancer Support, registered charity in England and Wales (261017), Scotland (SC039907) and the Isle of Man (604). Also operating in Northern Ireland. A company limited by guarantee, registered in England and Wales company number 2400969. Isle of Man company number 4694F. Registered office: 3rd Floor, Bronze Building, The Forge, 105 Sumner Street, London, SE1 9HZ. VAT no: 668265007