We know that when you’re worried about cancer, speed, reassurance and care are really important to you and your family.
The quicker you get answers, the quicker you can choose the right path, and the better your chances of beating it.
Private cancer diagnosis is already available on plan levels 3, 2 and 1, meaning that you canaccess private specialist consultations and tests up to the point of a cancer diagnosis. While Equipsme plans do not pay for the private treatment of cancer once diagnosed, AXA Health have now introduced specialist cancer diagnosis pathways for 3 common cancers – breast cancer, skin cancer and prostate cancer. This is for members aged over 18 and aged over 40 for the prostate cancer pathway.
These pathways mean Equipsme members can access diagnosis services through AXA Health, without the need for a GP referral.
The breast, skin and prostate cancer diagnostic screenings are provided by Check4Cancer, a reliable and trusted provider of early cancer detection in the UK.
Cancer Pathways
1. Breast Cancer Pathway
Breast cancer is the most common cancer in the UK, accounting for 15% 1 of all new cancer cases. Symptoms 2 can include things like a lump or swelling in the breast, chest or armpit, and changes in the breast or nipple like shape, texture and size.
The good news is that if caught at its earliest stage (stage 1), nearly 100% 3 of women survive their breast cancer for five years or more. So, getting a fast diagnosis really is crucial– and that’s where the breast cancer pathway can help.
How to access the breast cancer pathway:
- Log into the member portal or App and click on the Diagnosis icon.
- Contact AXA Health by phone and quote your membership number (which can be found in your Equipsme portal/App).
- AXA Health may need to ask for further information first if your symptoms/conditions could be pre-existing or otherwise excluded.
- If your claim is eligible, an appointment can be made for you at a suitable nearby clinic, normally within 5 working days.
- The on-site assessment could include a breast examination (imaging, mammographyand/or ultrasound), fine needle aspiration or needle core biopsy, as appropriate.
- An indicative outcome will usually be given on the day.
- Biopsy results will be sent to you within 5 working days.
Please note:
If cancer is diagnosed, Equipsme plans don’t pay for the private treatment of cancer, but you could then take this diagnosis to your NHS GP to help speed up your treatment under the NHS.
More information
Find out more about how to check your breasts for cancer on the Equipsme blog:
How to check for breast cancer | Equipsme
Get support, advice and guidance:
Breast Cancer Now
Cancer Research
NHS
2. Skin cancer pathway
There are more than 200,000 4 cases of skin cancer diagnosed in the UK each year. Skin cancer occurs when the DNA in your skin is damaged – usually by UV radiation. There are two types of skin cancer to be aware of, non-melanoma skin cancer, which is more common,and melanoma skin cancer.
Symptoms of skin cancer can include moles that change in colour or shape, itchy or rough patches of skin or sores that don’t heal. Spotting skin cancer early can make a huge difference to treatment options and outcomes, so it’s well worth knowing there’s a skin cancer pathway you can turn to for quick answers.
How to access the Skin Cancer Pathway:
- Log into the member portal or App and click on the Diagnosis icon.
- Contact AXA Health by phone and quote your membership number (which can be found in your Equipsme portal/App).
- AXA Health may need to ask for further information first if your symptoms/conditions could be pre-existing or otherwise excluded.
- If your claim is eligible, an appointment can be made for you at a suitable nearby clinic, normally within 5 working days.
- A dermatology nurse specialist will take and upload digital dermoscopic imagery.
- A dermatology consultant will then review your images remotely
- You will receive the outcome of the review, normally within five working days, and you'll be advised on next steps - either reassurance it's not cancer or to organise a follow up for a further appointment with a consultant - which may include biopsies.
Please note:
If cancer is diagnosed, Equipsme plans don’t pay for the private treatment of cancer, but you could then take this diagnosis to your NHS GP to help speed up your treatment under the NHS.
More information
Find out more about skin cancer and how to avoid it on the Equipsme blog:
What is skin cancer – and how to avoid it. | Equipsme
Get support, advice and guidance:
Cancer Research
NHS
British Skin Foundation
3. Prostate cancer pathway:
Prostate cancer is the most common cancer for men in the UK 5 with 137 men diagnosed every day, and around 510,000 men currently living with the condition. All of that means it’s a good idea to have an understanding of symptoms – and the steps you need to take to access the prostate cancer pathway.
Common symptoms of prostate issues include needing to wee more frequently, pain in the pelvis and blood in the urine - but one of the ways to see if there’s a problem is a PSA test. This is a blood test that measures the amount of prostate-specific antigen (PSA) in your blood. Raised levels don’t always indicate cancer, but do mean you should get further attention.
You can get a free PSA test from your own GP, or pay for one from some local pharmacies. Another option is to use our health check partners Thriva (one of the leading home health check providers in the UK). All Equipsme members have access to a 20% discount off a PSA test with Thriva where you can measure your PSA levels with an at-home blood test fora reduced price. Just log into the members portal and click the home health check button to access the discounted tests.
How to access the prostate cancer pathway
- Log into the member portal or App and click on the Diagnosis icon.
- Contact AXA Health by phone and quote your membership number (which can be found in your Equipsme portal/App).
- AXA Health may need to ask for further information first if your symptoms/conditions could be pre-existing or otherwise excluded.
- Make sure you have your PSA test results to hand - you may be asked to contact Check4Cancer to discuss your results so your case can be properly assessed.
- If your results indicate you’re eligible, an appointment can be made for you at a suitable nearby clinic, normally within 5 working days.
- The Check4Cancer team will guide you through the next steps. This may include a multi-parametric MRI scan or a consultation, to help you get a diagnosis as quickly as possible.
Please note:
If cancer is diagnosed, Equipsme plans don’t pay for the private treatment of cancer, but you could then take this diagnosis to your NHS GP to help speed up your treatment under the NHS.
More information
Find more information on prostate cancer signs and symptoms, and how to book a Thriva test, on the Equipsme blog:
What is prostate cancer? | Equipsme
PSA (Prostate Specific Antigen) Blood Test | Thriva
Get support, advice and guidance:
Cancer Research
NHS
Additional cancer support services – for all Equipsme members
Remember, if you do get a diagnosis of cancer, you don’t have to face it alone.
ALL Equipsme members have access to a cancer support team, with specialist cancer support nurses available on the phone to support you and your family (no matter what stage of the journey you are on).
Find out more about the Cancer Care Support Line here:
What is the cancer care support line? | Equipsme
Sources
1 www.cancerresearchuk.org/health-professional/cancer-statistics/
2 www.nhs.uk/conditions/breast-cancer-in-women/symptoms-of-breast-cancer-in-women/
3 www.cancerresearchuk.org/about-cancer/breast-cancer/survival
4 www.skinhealthinfo.org.uk/new-data-shows-a-record-224000-skin-cancers-in-england-in-2019/
5 prostatecanceruk.org/prostate-information-and-support/risk-and-symptoms/about-prostate-cancer
All our information is desk-based research from credible sources only, including the NHS and medical/disease charities.
Date created: October 2025
