Cancer treatment

Half of all people will develop some form of cancer in their lifetime, and for many this will be a world-changing experience. Finding out you have cancer can be devastating, but more people survive cancer than ever before, and with the right treatment and the right support you can boost your chances of recovery.

Wherever you are in your cancer journey, from seeking diagnosis to recovering from surgery and other treatments, our specialist teams can help you get through this difficult time.

Compassionate and individual care

At Circle Health Group, we believe in fast access to leading cancer care, delivered by compassionate experts and tailored to you.

Every one of our cancer centres offers rapid access to treatment and boasts a team of highly experienced consultant surgeons and oncologists. They work alongside dedicated clinical teams to build a personalised treatment plan based on your individual needs. We're here to care for, support and reassure you every step of the way.

Comprehensive and integrated cancer treatment

All of our cancer centres specialise in integrated cancer care. This means that throughout your cancer journey, you can be reassured that you will be taken care of and supported by a caring team of medical professionals at every stage of your treatment.

Each of our cancer centres are working with various cancer providers to ensure a comprehensive treatment offering, from radiotherapy and chemotherapy to complementary therapies.

Your cancer treatment is complemented by comprehensive support services including dietetics, physiotherapy and pain management. We also offer complementary therapies and access to patient support groups.

Cancer is a disease with countless variations and it affects everyone differently. Treatment needs to be tailored to the individual and it will typically involve multiple approaches and stages. What's right for you will depend on a variety of factors including your age and overall health, where your cancer is located and how far it has progressed.

Some of the most common types of cancer treatment are:

Chemotherapy

Chemotherapy is a cancer treatment that uses anti-cancer (cytotoxic) drugs to destroy cancer cells (including leukaemia and lymphoma). There are over 50 different chemotherapy drugs. These drugs can stop cancer cells dividing and reproducing themselves. Some are given on their own, but often several drugs are given together (combination chemotherapy).

Radiotherapy

Radiotherapy treatment uses high energy X-rays and similar rays (such as electrons) to treat disease. Many people with cancer will have radiotherapy as part of their treatment. This can be given either from outside the body using X-rays or from within the body.

Cancer surgery

Surgery is not suitable for all types of cancer, but in many instances it can be a very effective treatment. It is most commonly used to remove cancer from the body. Surgery can also be used to diagnose and even to prevent cancer.

Hormone therapy

Certain cancers use hormones in order to grow. These include breast cancer and prostate cancer. Hormone therapy can stop or slow cancer growth by blocking the hormones that help it spread.

Targeted therapy

Targeted therapy is a type of drugs used specifically to treat certain types of cancer. They are drugs developed to interfere specifically with one or more of the processes of intracellular signalling which are typically overactive in malignant cells.

The first step to access cancer care with us is usually to arrange an appointment with one of our specialists. They will be able to assess and diagnose your condition and talk you through the available treatment options, and together you'll decide on the best route for you.

To book your initial consultation, call our dedicated team of advisors, or take advantage of our easy online booking system.

You can access cancer care with us using private medical insurance or by paying for your own treatment.

Cancer treatment will almost always be covered by your private health insurance, but there are instances where that won't be the case. Speak to your provider directly to see what's covered in your policy.

If you want to pay for your own treatment, you can either pay in full or take advantage of our flexible payment options, which allow you to spread the cost over a period of up to five years.

Our self-pay customers benefit from fixed-price packages, meaning you'll know exactly what you're going to pay before you book your treatment. Your initial consultation and early diagnostic tests won't be included, but the cost of any procedures and hospital fees are, and so is your aftercare programme. There are no hidden costs down the line.

When you choose to go private with Circle Health Group, you can expect:

• Flexible appointment times and locations to fit your routine
• The freedom to choose which hospital and consultant suit your needs
• Personalised, consultant-led treatment plans tailored to your individual needs
• Comfortable and safe private facilities maintained by expert multidisciplinary teams
• Private ensuite rooms as standards and delicious healthy meals
• Affordable, fixed-price packages with aftercare included
• Flexible payment options to help you spread the cost of your care

If you would like to learn more about how our oncology teams can help you, book your appointment online today or call a member of our team directly.

Content reviewed by Circle in-house team in June 2023. Next review due June 2026.

1. Cancer surgery, Cancer Research UK
2. Types of cancer treatment, National Cancer Institute
3. Cancer treatment, Mayo Clinic
4. How is cancer treated?, NHS
5. Cancer, NHS
6. Statistics fact sheet, Macmillan Cancer Support