DEALING with a life-threatening or serious illness can be a massive drain on a person’s emotions, physical strength and inner resources.

But a woman from Bromsgrove discovered it also lead to extra financial pressures and red tape others would not normally experience.

Cherie Uhrmacher, aged 35, from Bromsgrove, was diagnosed with ovarian cancer in 2003 and treated for the condition but when she subsequently wanted to take a trip abroad, her illness made it difficult for her to get travel insurance.

And now Macmillan Cancer Support is calling on the insurance industry to change its attitude towards cancer patients and make sure they are treated fairly.

Cherie said: “I’ve only gone to get travel insurance once to go to Africa, but it was a struggle to get it and was a lot more expensive than the people I was going with.

“A lot of insurers either declined or gave me a premium which was so high it made it not worth it. The hassle and cost of it have discouraged me from trying to go abroad since then.

“I work in insurance, but I don’t think it should be so difficult for people with cancer to get covered for travel, especially when they were treated some time ago like I was.”

Macmillan commissioned a YouGov survey of more than 2,000 people who had cancer which revealed people who’ve had cancer paid nearly four times the average cost of an annual travel policy for a non-cancer person.

The charity also said last year almost 900 people in the Midlands region alone turned to Macmillan for help with travel insurance through the charity’s website and support line. It wants the insurance industry to make sure people living with cancer are treated fairly and aren’t priced out of the market.

Jo Judges, head of service for the Midlands at Macmillan Cancer Support, said: “We get lots of visitors to Macmillan Information and Support Centres across the Midlands asking about travel insurance.

“It’s unfair because the people our information specialists talk to just want a break when they need it most, to recuperate, celebrate the end of their treatment or spend precious time with friends or family.

"But instead they often find they are asked insensitive questions by insurers, must pay extortionately high premiums or run the risk of travelling without cover for cancer-related claims.

“We always advise people not to leave it until the last minute as unfortunately they need to plan ahead as it may not be as easy and straightforward to get insurance. We would also suggest visiting the Macmillan online community to see the latest recommendations for the best travel insurance companies made by people who have first-hand experience with them.”

To find out more about travel insurance if you have cancer visit your local Macmillan Information and Support centres in Worcester, Kidderminster or Redditch (or call 01562 513273) and pick up a travel insurance booklet or visit Macmillan’s online community at community.macmillan.org.uk for the latest recommendations on insurers.

Macmillan wants the public to spread the word about its ‘Give us a break’ campaign on social media and also get in touch if they have been affected by issues in getting travel insurance. Visit macmillan.org.uk/giveusabreak