Definition of 'adjuvant therapy'

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Hello all,

Five years ago I had surgery for stage 3a malignant melanoma, including the removal of all lymph nodes in one armpit. Following that I had targeted therapy (dabrafenib & trametinib) for a year. Then I had immunotherapy - did not go well, had to stop after 3 sessions - and went back onto the targeted therapy. My oncologist says this is 'adjuvant therapy' as it's not treating active melanoma, just preventing it coming back. It is working successfully and I have had no re-occurrence of lumps, etc for 3 years.

As far as insurers are concerned, does this adjuvant therapy represent ongoing cancer treatment which has to be declared as such? Or can I leave it out of the declaration on the basis of it not treating active cancer? I have tried a few travel insurance websites and if I say I am still receiving treatment either I can get no cover or the premium is many £1000s.

Have any of you had to answer such a question before, and if so what did you choose to state?

Thanks.

  • I was asked what treatment I was receiving so I included everything including adjuvant treatment. I had to explain what adjuvant meant and I said ‘preventative’. 
    if in doubt, declare it. 

  • Thanks,   that's a good idea.

    I expect I can only do that if I do it on a call, as I haven't seen such an option in the online forms.

  • Hi  

    My mantra for travel insurance is "if in doubt phone the company" as then you can be sure you're answering the questions correctly.

    I had adjuvant chemotherapy and radiotherapy for breast cancer but, at the time of getting an insurance quote, I'd finished this 'treatment'. However, I was still on another form of adjuvant treatment so wasn't sure if this counted or not so rang the insurance company to talk it through with them.

    All the best

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