If you need Skin Cancer Surgery, waiting for diagnosis and treatment can be stressful. This guide explains the conditions that commonly lead to it and how private medical insurance can help you get seen and treated sooner.
What conditions lead to Skin Cancer Surgery?
Melanoma, Basal Cell Carcinoma & Squamous Cell Carcinoma
Skin cancer is the UK's most common cancer with over 300,000 cases annually. Basal cell carcinoma (BCC) is the most common and very rarely metastasises. Squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) grows more rapidly and can spread to lymph nodes. Melanoma is the most serious form: thin melanomas (under 1mm) have an excellent prognosis when excised promptly, but delays in diagnosis and treatment dramatically worsen outcomes. Surgical excision with appropriate margins is the standard treatment.
How private health insurance can help with Skin Cancer Surgery
PMI provides rapid dermatological assessment, same-week dermoscopy and biopsy, wide local excision surgery, and sentinel lymph node biopsy where indicated – ensuring no delay in treating a condition where early diagnosis saves lives.
Depending on your policy, cover can include:
- Faster access to a specialist consultant
- Diagnostic scans such as MRI, CT, ultrasound and X-ray
- A choice of consultant and private hospital from your insurer's list
- Surgery, hospital stay and, where included, post-treatment physiotherapy or rehabilitation
Cover, limits and exclusions vary between insurers and plans. Most policies don't cover pre-existing or chronic conditions, and you'll usually need a GP referral before claiming. Always check what your policy covers before starting treatment.
How it works
- Get a quote – tell us about yourself and what you want covered, using the form on this page.
- Compare policies – an adviser compares plans from leading UK insurers and recommends suitable options.
- Get covered – choose your plan and start cover once your insurer confirms it. Claims are then made through your insurer.
Want to know more? Read our guides to individual health insurance and family health insurance.
