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Vhi cancer care

Complete support when you need it

Whether you need help with cancer screening, diagnosis, treatment or recovery, we're there. Not just for the big things like hospital treatments but also the things you may not expect, that help to make your journey easier.

Screening
Treatment
Recovery

Lifestyle choices such as physical activity, maintaining a healthy weight and proper diet and nutrition can all help to improve your overall wellbeing and reduce the risk of cancer.

As a Vhi Healthcare member, you have access to a range of healthy lifestyle supports to help you achieve your goals. This includes Vhi HealthCheck Screening Programme run by Vhi doctors and nurses in our dedicated screening centres. Part of this is a proactive health and lifestyle assessment that provides a holistic view of your overall health. You can check your plan for benefit details, as cover may vary.

Consultation between patient and medical practitioner

Vhi HealthCheck Screening Programme

This includes tests for prostate cancer, and breast and testes examinations. To book an appointment, call 056 775 3010.

Ireland’s National Screening Programme includes screening tests for breast cancer, cervical cancer, bowel cancer and diabetic retina testing. Vhi complements this programme with a range of benefits for our members, including more access to screening and genetic testing for specific types of cancer.

Additional benefits are available including...

Mammograms

Breast cancer screening can show breast cancers at an early stage and can help to reduce mortality rates. You can find your nearest approved centre below.

Vhi approved centre list

Genetic testing

Genetic testing helps to determine if you are at risk of developing specific cancers.

If you think genetic testing is for you, talk to your GP.

Find out more

As a Vhi member, you have access to a range of benefits to help achieve your lifestyle goals, including support for your mental and physical wellbeing.

Support in your home

Vhi Online Doctor

A face-to-face video consultation with an experienced doctor, based in Ireland, from the comfort of your home. Available 7 days a week, within Vhi app.

Find out more

Vhi Online Health Team

Access expert clinical care in the comfort of your home. Whether you need a nurse, dietitian or physiotherapist, we're here.

Find out more

Mindfulness and Meditation

Vhi Healthcare members can avail of €30 off an annual subscription to Headspace or Calm app.

Find out more

Alternative Therapies

Reflexology or Acupuncture can help to relieve a range of issues. See your Table of Benefits for details of benefits that are covered.

MyVhi

Vhi parkrun

Vhi parkruns are free weekly events across Ireland every weekend. Keep fit and earn rewards from Vhi by walking, jogging or volunteering at one of the many parkrun events.

Find out more

When you need us, we're there

Find the right plan for you.

Get a quote

Benefits vary by plan. You can check those covered on your plan in your Table of Benefits in MyVhi.

At Vhi Healthcare, we understand that the physical and emotional aspects of your diagnosis and treatment will be personal to you and your family. That’s why, it’s important for us to ensure you get the care you need, at every step of your cancer journey. And, you can have peace-of-mind knowing that the cost of your treatment is something you will never have to worry about.*

Treatment

All your oncology treatment including surgery, chemotherapy, radiotherapy, brachytherapy, Onco Type DX testing, Molecular profiling for targeted therapy, etc., will be fully covered by your Vhi plan.*

Care options

Vhi provides timely access to, and cover for a wide range of cancer treatments in Ireland

Comprehensive care

We paid out over €300m in cancer benefits for our members in 2024, including cover for oncology and immunotherapy drugs, radiotherapy, surgical interventions and other supports which are focused on helping our members live with and beyond cancer.

Cancer care diagnosis - medical professional and patient extending supportive hands

If you get a diagnosis

As a Vhi Healthcare member, you will have access to an extensive package of benefits and services designed to support you every step of the way.

If your GP is concerned, they will generally carry out a thorough review of your overall health and look at your symptoms and your family history of illness. They may also refer you for blood tests, or scans or carry out a biopsy to test if cancer cells are present.

More imaging tests may be done to see if, and how far the cancer may have grown or spread. This process is called 'Staging' and it helps your medical team to develop a treatment plan that’s best for you. Your guide to Vhi Cancer Care contains further details in this regard.

Most of our plans provide cover towards the cost of visits to your GP and Consultant, as well as cover for tests and scans they may refer you for. You can also claim money back for other day-to-day medical expenses.

Please bear in mind that benefits vary depending on your plan. You can quickly and easily check the benefits provided by your plan through the ‘Am I Covered’ facility in the Vhi App or MyVhi.

For many people undergoing cancer treatment, the frequency of hospital visits can really take its toll. Vhi’s Hospital@Home service is provided by a clinical team who can provide some treatments to cancer patients, in the comfort of their own home.

Cancer patients who are undergoing chemotherapy treatment can often develop infections due to decreased immunity. To avoid a hospital visit or a hospital stay, our team of doctors and nurses can administer IV antibiotics (if the oncologist or referring consultant prescribes them) and oversee the management of the patient’s treatment, in their own home. Geographic restrictions apply.

Imaging is used to help find tumours and identify other changes inside the body. It can show how much disease is there and help see if treatment is working. It can also be used to do biopsies and other surgical procedures. The Imaging tests below are often used in diagnosing cancer.

We have an extensive network of approved imaging centres nationwide. If your doctor refers you for a scan, you will find one conveniently located close to you here.

MRI Scans use magnetic energy to build up a picture of the tissues inside your body. Sometimes your doctor will use a CT scan and an MRI scan to build a clearer picture of your organs.

X-rays use low doses of radiation to make images of your tissues, bones and organs. An X-ray may be taken of any part of the body to look for a tumour or cancer.

CT scans use X-rays and a computer to make 3-D images of your body. A CT scan can show any part of your body, including bones, muscles, fat, and organs. CT scans are a lot more detailed than X-rays.

PET Scans combine an injection of radioactive sugar and a CT scan. It can give your doctor more information about where the cancer is.

Mammogram is an X-ray exam of the breast. It’s used to find and diagnose breast disease in women who have breast problems such as a lump, pain, or nipple discharge. A mammogram can’t prove that a breast change is cancer. But if it shows something that might be cancer, more testing can be done.

Triple Breast Assessment is used if your GP or Consultant is concerned about a finding on a routine breast examination. If you are referred for this test, you will be examined by a breast surgeon and you will have a mammogram and/or ultrasound, and a core biopsy.

We're here for the whole you

Find the right plan for you.

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*Benefits vary by plan. You can check those covered on your plan in your Table of Benefits in MyVhi.

As a cancer survivor you are naturally eager to return to good health. But, beyond your initial recovery, there are ways to improve your long-term health so that you can enjoy the years ahead. A healthy lifestyle can help your body recover after treatment. It can also reduce the risk of other illnesses, such as heart disease, diabetes, and stroke.

Focus on long-term health...

Improving your diet

A balanced and varied diet is vital to aid recovery. You should ask your doctor to refer you to a dietician to help design an eating plan for you.

Dietitian

Coping with stress

Effective coping strategies can help to relieve depression, anxiety and symptoms related to the cancer and its treatment.

Emotional wellbeing

It can often take some time to re-adjust to life after treatment. That’s why we’ve developed a package of benefits and supports to help you recover and adjust.

Return Home benefit toward travel expenses on discharge from hospital.

Sleeping caps can bring huge comfort to someone going through chemo, they can help minimise itching and provide warmth while you sleep. We fully cover sleeping caps, it’s simple to submit your claim through our Member App.

Cancer Care Support benefit for accommodation and/or travel costs when travelling more than 50km for treatment.

Parent accompanying child benefit towards accommodation and travel costs when accompanying your child during your child’s hospital admission (following a stay of more than 3 days in hospital).

Child Home Nursing benefit towards the cost of nursing care at home for a child if GP/Consultant decides for medical reasons they need to receive care following a stay in hospital of at least 5 days.

Convalescent Care if you are living alone or feel you could benefit from a little extra support after you leave hospital. You can avail of Convalescent Care at a Vhi approved Convalescent Home.

Manual Lymph Drainage is specialised massage technique by trained therapists to help the circulation of fluids following cancer treatment.

Cover for cancer support aids such as wigs for hair loss, surgical bra and swimsuits following a mastectomy and surgical prosthesis, including artificial limbs and wheelchairs.

Follow-up Annual Surveillance Mammogram cover is provided on most plans for 1 mammogram per year (for up to 5 years), post treatment if requested by your consultant.

Oncology tattooing for eyebrows and nipples help restore a normal appearance after specific cancer treatment.

Vhi Online Doctor, Vhi 360 Health Centre & Vhi SwiftCare give you access to everyday health and wellbeing services as a Vhi member.

When you need us, we're there.

Find the right plan for you.

Get a quote

Benefits vary by plan. You can check those covered on your plan in your Table of Benefits in MyVhi.

Vhi cancer care

With you every step of the way