Cancer options

In recent times, we’ve seen significant enhancements in cancer treatments, meaning that people are now living with cancer for longer and the survival rate for some cancers has improved¹.

However, many of these advancements come with higher costs. This is particularly true for treatments such as adoptive cell therapies (for example, CAR-T cell therapy or Tumour-Infiltrating Lymphocyte therapy), ion beam therapy (for example, proton beam therapy), irreversible electroporation (IRE), such as nano-knife treatment, and stem cell and bone marrow transplants.

While clients want to offer the best possible support for employees during their treatment with cancer, some may not have the appetite (or budget) to take the additional risk these treatments could represent to their claims fund and future premiums. That’s why our large corporate cancer cover offers more choice and flexibility for your clients.

_{¹Cancer prevalence, Macmillan Cancer Support. Accessed October 2025.}

Learn more about Optimum's cancer benefits

Karin's story

When worrying symptoms led to an ovarian cancer diagnosis, Karin, one of our customers since 2021, saw first-hand how valuable Private Medical Insurance can be when life suddenly takes an unexpected turn. Watch her story:

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Transcript for video Karin's story Show more Show less

I think people with cancer don’t like to say the word, and I’m not any different. It’s very loaded that word.

I really, really feel that I’m one of the lucky ones because of my health insurance.

My life before the diagnosis was quite a happy life. Before, I would’ve gone into London, I would’ve gone to a gallery, I would’ve gone to see a play or something.

Every morning I woke up feeling sick, and I said no… I cannot be pregnant. That can’t be it. So, I think it was my daughter in law who convinced me to go and see the doctor.

The doctor I saw, she said I have to have a stool test and I think they’re taking a blood test as well and see what it is.

The doctor I saw said to me ‘you have got cancer. It’s ovarian cancer’, and just this wall came down. I didn’t take it in.

I was there with my son who very kindly came with me. I’m glad he did. And my son asked a question and I [laughs] then we left and I said to my son: can we go into that pub, and you tell me what he [the doctor] said?

And he told me. I said ‘okay, I’ve got cancer. That’ll be alright. They know how to deal with it’.

I am an optimist. I always think things go right in the end.

So I then had to come back and had an 8-hour operation. And then I stayed in hospital for ten days.

When I came out of the operation, I was given a stoma and when I came home and I got used to my stoma, I called her Gladys. And Gladys and I are not friends. We tolerate each other. It stopped me doing things which I would’ve done before.

Life is so full of things and Gladys won’t hold me back much longer, I’m sure.

I felt the way Aviva supported me has been very pleasant. I think they’ve got an oncology department and that makes a difference.

With Aviva it was: you told them what you’ve been diagnosed with, you told them who you’re going to, how you got there.

They’re incredibly well trained. Or they’re just nice people. I think they’re just nice people.

I’m not one of those who wakes up and goes ‘Hallelujah I’m still alive’ but I do appreciate life more, and long may it last.

My father was 104 when he died, my mother was 78. So inbetween, I’ll probably live to about 100 [laughs]. That’s my logic.

Three levels of cancer benefit:

Clients on an Optimum or Optimum Referral scheme can choose from three levels of cancer cover. Some existing clients may still be on our older options (Core, Enhanced or downgrade levels). We suggest reviewing and mapping them to the most suitable option at their next renewal. Your Aviva account manager can support you with this.

Level 3

This option offers full treatment cover with no limits on targeted therapies or high‑cost treatments like CAR‑T cell therapy, plus practical support such as contributions towards prostheses, wigs and mastectomy bras.

For clients who want strong cover while managing costs, there’s also the flexibility to include targeted therapies but exclude high‑cost treatments if preferred.

Level 2

Offers comprehensive cover and everyday support, while helping control costs by removing cover for high-cost treatments. It also reduces cover for targeted therapies and other treatments and drugs used to maintain and control metastatic or non-curable disease plus bisphosphonates to either 24 or 36 months.

Level 1

Controls cost further by focusing cover on diagnosis, immediate surgery, chemotherapy, and treatment. This option doesn’t include benefit for high-cost treatment and therapies and limits post- surgical support. It also removes the ‘every day’ support such as money towards a wig.

Learn more about our cancer benefit levels

Dedicated Cancer Claims Team Show more Show less

Whatever cancer brings, our dedicated Cancer Claims Team will be by your clients' employees side every step of the way. They’ve been specially chosen for their understanding, patience, and empathy. They receive regular training and have an in-depth understanding of what it means to be living with cancer.

They recognise that everybody’s cancer journey is unique. They’ll take the time to understand their personal circumstances and guide them to the most appropriate specialist and support.

Our Cancer Care Guide* Show more Show less

Developed in partnership with Macmillan Cancer Support, our guide makes it simple for your clients and their loved ones to find information to help make life that bit easier. It’s packed full of useful tips to help them every step of the way. And, if they’d like support or wish to talk to one of Macmillan’s specialist cancer nurses, there is a helpline number for them to call.

Cancer Care with Get Active* Show more Show less

Our Get Active wellbeing offers include savings on products and services that could help make a small difference if your clients' employees or someone close to them is living with cancer. So, whether they’re looking to show someone their support or they just want to feel more like themselves, there’s a choice of specially arranged products and services to help.

Cancer Care with Aviva Digital GP* Show more Show less

Aviva Digital GP is there 24/7 for your clients' employees. From talking to a private GP about symptoms that could be linked to a possible cancer diagnosis, to getting swift, convenient, empathetic support for general medical concerns following a diagnosis or during and after treatment – it’s there when they need it.

Talking Through Cancer Show more Show less

Our Talking Through Cancer service is on hand to help your clients’ employees and their loved ones throughout the cancer journey and beyond. We work with a third party clinical provider with a thorough knowledge of the different experiences people go through when living with cancer. Their dedicated team of experienced cancer therapists will help employees work through the emotional ups-and-downs offering compassionate support and practical techniques along the way. They'll help your clients’ employees feel more in control of the situation, listening and gaining a thorough understanding of their needs, going at their pace – offering the right support, when they need it.

This service is available for all your Large Corporate clients who have selected cancer cover.

_{*These services are non-contractual benefits Aviva can amend or withdraw at any time.}