Cost of private prostate cancer treatment in the UK
Navigating a prostate cancer diagnosis and trying to understand private treatment costs can feel overwhelming. If you’re considering private healthcare for prostate cancer, our guide is here to help you understand private prostate cancer treatment costs in the UK:
- The differences between private healthcare and NHS care for prostate cancer.
- The key factors that impact private treatment costs.
- Price ranges for common treatments.
- Essential questions to ask when evaluating private care.
- Where to find financial support and resources.
We’re here to help patients understand their options and assist you to find solutions that are right for you.
How private healthcare works for prostate cancer treatment
Private care offers flexibility and faster access to treatment. Here’s how private healthcare compares to NHS treatment.
Faster access to care and diagnostics
Private healthcare often removes waiting times associated with NHS services. Patients choosing private care can avoid a long wait for prostate cancer treatment or surgery. Once referred by your consultant or GP, private providers can initiate diagnostic processes like PSA tests, MRIs, and biopsies quickly, enabling earlier treatment.
Greater flexibility
Private treatment allows you to choose your consultant and facilities, for continuity of care on your terms. You can also select from a range of leading specialists and highly experienced professionals. Schedule procedures at times convenient for you, to balance work, family, or travel.
Customised treatment packages
Private treatment often breaks care into phases. ‘Diagnostics’ includes scans, biopsies and specialist consultations. ‘Treatment’ includes surgery, radiotherapy, or hormone therapy. ‘Aftercare’ includes follow-ups, recovery planning, and support services. Some providers offer payment bundles or packages, to outline the expected costs to help patients anticipate their financial commitment, though actual expenses may vary. Some, like Lloyds Clinical, provide at-home treatment options to make care more accessible and comfortable while also reducing expenses where possible.
Specialist teams and facilities
Private cancer care is delivered by a combination of independent hospitals, specialist consultants, and dedicated clinical teams. Specialist nurses play a crucial role in supporting patients throughout their treatment, providing information, emotional support, and a link to hospital medical teams. This ensures personalised treatment and some cutting-edge options not always available through the NHS.
What influences the cost of prostate cancer treatment?
The total cost of private prostate cancer treatment depends on a range of factors. Remember costs may vary depending on individual circumstances.
Cancer stage and type
- Localised Prostate Cancer requires fewer diagnostic tests and simpler treatments like surgery or radiotherapy.
- Advanced Prostate Cancer may necessitate chemotherapy, hormone therapy, or more comprehensive imaging, increasing both complexity and costs.
Type of treatment
Treatments differ significantly in price based on the approach and technology used.
- Surgery Radical prostatectomy can be performed as open surgery or using advanced robotic surgery techniques. Prostate surgery may involve the surgical removal of the prostate gland, and the operation is typically performed by experienced surgeons. Costs for surgery encompass consultant fees, anaesthesia, hospital stays, and post-surgery care.
- Radiotherapy often requires several weeks of sessions, with additional costs for imaging and detailed planning.
- Hormone therapy, though generally more affordable than surgery or radiotherapy, involves regular injections, often billed monthly or quarterly.
Diagnostic and imaging tests
Accurate diagnostics are essential to effective treatment, often involving:
- PSA Blood Tests to monitor prostate-specific antigens.
- Multiparametric MRI scans for detailed imaging.
- Biopsies (such as transperineal biopsies) to confirm cancer type and stage.
- CT scan may be included to assess cancer spread and staging.
- Bladder scans may also be performed to evaluate overall urinary health.
Consultant and hospital fees
Consultants set their rates independently and can vary across providers and locations. Hospital fees vary, based on services offered, inpatient or outpatient care and length of stay.
At-home vs hospital-based bare
At-home treatment options (hormone injections or recovery care) can significantly reduce costs while improving patient comfort. Lloyds Clinical brings high-quality, specialist care into your home, reducing the need for extended hospital stays.
Price ranges for UK prostate cancer treatments
Here are typical cost considerations for private prostate cancer treatments in the UK. Prices can vary depending on location, provider, and the complexity of care. Paying for private treatment can provide faster access to consultants, diagnostics, and treatments.
Diagnostic procedures
Common diagnostic procedures, such as PSA tests or advanced imaging like multiparametric MRI scans, are typically performed by experienced specialists in private clinics or hospitals and are on the more affordable end of the spectrum. More invasive diagnostic options, like prostate biopsies, tend to be higher in cost.
Surgical treatments
Surgical interventions, such as radical prostatectomy (removal of the prostate), are among the most expensive options due to the complexity of the procedure and the specialist care required. Typical recovery time after surgical treatments varies, but most patients spend a few days in hospital before being discharged. Recovering from surgery involves managing pain, often with prescribed or over-the-counter medication, and ongoing support from the healthcare team.
Radiotherapy
Radiotherapy options, including external beam therapy or brachytherapy (radioactive seed implants), generally fall into the mid-to-high price range depending on the duration and type of treatment plan.
Hormone therapy
Hormone therapy, typically administered as injections, is priced based on the frequency of doses, with ongoing costs that vary depending on the specific treatment plan.
Chemotherapy
Chemotherapy is often priced per cycle, with costs influenced by the drugs used and the number of cycles required, falling into the mid-to-high price bracket. For accurate costs, request detailed quotes from healthcare providers.
Immunotherapy
Questions to ask when exploring private care. When speaking with private care providers, consider asking the following:
What is included in the quoted price?
Ask if it includes consultations, imaging, hospital fees, and aftercare.
Is the price fixed or subject to change?
Ask if it include consultations, imaging, hospital fees, and aftercare.
Can I self-pay, or will private insurance be accepted?
Check if your insurance will cover diagnostic tests or treatment costs.
What if my treatment needs to change?
Ensure you understand the implications of any adjustments to your care plan.
Will my care involve any NHS consultants or facilities?
Some services maintain collaborative arrangements with the NHS.
Can parts of my care be delivered at home?
Providers like Lloyds Clinical specialise in offering home-based alternatives.
Support, planning, and financial advice
Cancer treatment brings emotional challenges as well as financial considerations. Funding options, including self-pay and insurance, are available to help manage the cost of private treatment. Here are ways to get support:
Charities and organisations
- Macmillan Cancer Support offers grants and financial advice specific to your circumstances. Learn more atMacmillan.
- Cancer Research UK provides resources on charitable grants, benefits, and financial planning.
NHS continuing healthcare
Patients may qualify for exemptions or financial support for certain aspects of care, particularly when transitioning between NHS and private services.
Health finance options
Many providers offer:
- Payment Plans that allow you to spread the costs over monthly instalments.
- Health Cash Plans for pre-set reimbursements on healthcare expenses.
- Self-Pay: Suitable for individuals who prefer to pay for their treatment directly.
- Private Medical Insurance (PMI): Check with your provider to confirm what’s included in your plan.
Employer and Bank Support
Speak to your employer about sick leave or the potential for financial support. Banks may also offer loan products specific to medical expenses.
Looking for more information? Get in touch with our expert team to discuss your options.
Clarity and confidence in care
Private prostate cancer treatment offers quick access, comprehensive care options, and a personalised approach, but it’s important to plan carefully.
If you’re still in doubt or need tailored advice, our Lloyds Clinical team is here to help.
Contact our expert team today to discuss your options.
We know the benefits of cancer care at home
Our specialist cancer services ensure private medically insured and self-paying patients who want an alternative to hospital can start their treatment faster. We consider all cancer treatments, including those not currently available in hospitals.
Looking for more information?
We’ve worked with thousands of patients, and we know you’ll have a lot of questions.
If you’re ready to talk to us to discuss your options, fill out the form below and we’ll be in touch quickly.
If your enquiry is urgent please call 0345 2636 123 (England and Wales) or 0345 2636 135 (Northern Ireland and Scotland).
Your guide to prostate cancer treatment
A prostate cancer diagnosis can be overwhelming. Rest assured, you’re not alone, and there are many options for managing the condition and tailoring treatment to suit your individual needs.
Our guide is here to help you understand private prostate cancer treatment and the main treatment options available.
