All Policies Include Enhanced COVID-19 Cover
Call for an instant quote 0345 90 80 161
Open Mon to Fri 09:00 - 17:30
Coronavirus FAQs
Questions about cover for coronavirus? Read our FAQs and find out what our policies can do for you. If you would like to contact us, please note we are currently only available 09:00 to 17:30 Monday to Friday due to reduced operational capacity. Thank you.
24 March 2015 09:07
Specialist travel insurance is available to bowel cancer patients
Improved treatment for bowel cancer could be in sight after scientists found a link between the genetic changes in tumours and the responses they trigger in the body's immune system.
The Focus4 trial is already offering to bowel cancer patients drugs that are tailored to their specific genetic profile. But the research team at the University of Birmingham says its new findings could result in further improvements to the personalised treatments.
The study, which was funded by Cancer Research UK, discovered that some genetic mutations in bowel tumours are more likely than others to trigger an immunity response.
Both bowel cancer survivors and those still having treatment for the disease can find it hard to find the cover they need to go on holiday but specialist cancer travel insurance is available.
What the researchers say
The scientists say the findings suggest that doctors could assess whether immunotherapy treatments are suitable for their patients by examining their tumours' genetic profiles.
Treatments aimed at boosting the immunity response and switching off the immune suppression linked with some genetic mutations could also be developed, they hope.
Professor Gary Middleton, who led the research, says the findings could provide a further boost to current work to personalise immunotherapy treatment for bowel cancer patients.
The team used The Cancer Genomic Atlas database to examine the link between the immune system and genetic mutations in bowel cancer.
What Cancer Research UK says
Cancer Research UK says although the link established in the study is not yet fully understood, it is nevertheless strong.
The charity's senior science communication manager, Nell Barrie, says more research to shed light on the different immunity responses to bowel cancer could result in new drugs being developed.
The study was published in the Oncoimmunology journal.
04 January 2021
Head north for a light show like no other. Discover how you can see the Northern Lights for yourself.
[more...]
Discover more about the magnificent waterfall perched on the border of Zambia and Zimbabwe.
10 December 2020
Don't sleep on the world's most impressive dormant volcano.
A destination that stands head and shoulders above the rest.
19 November 2020
Take a tour of one of South America's most captivating natural landscapes.
Discover the hidden depths of the world's most recognisable desert gorge.
It's the question on everyone's mind right now - unfortunately, there's still no easy answer...
Discover why planes are more hygienic than you might think.
Dive into Queensland's colourful coral.
02 November 2020
With the global travel industry slowly getting back on its feet, it's a great time for holiday bargain hunters. Here are our top tips for 2021.
Is it possible to fly green? Discover five ways to fly more eco-friendly and reduce the impact of your air travel.
From sustainable architecture to reduced energy consumption, here's how airports around the world are helping to reduce their carbon footprints.