Prostate cancer is one of the world’s major men’s health challenges. According to WHO and the International Agency for Research on Cancer ( Globocan 2022 data), it is the second most common cancer in men, affecting a large number of men every year.
The problem? Care is not the same everywhere. Differences in coverage, available technologies and costs, which can explode from country to country, all add up to a very uneven global picture. For an expatriate, knowing all about these disparities and, above all, having solid international health insurance is non-negotiable. It’s what’s going to keep you well looked after, wherever you live.
What is prostate cancer?
Prostate cancer forms in the prostate gland, just below the bladder. It’s generally a slow-growing cancer, but you still need to monitor it closely and treat it properly to prevent it from progressing.
Symptoms: In the early stages, the disease often doesn’t manifest itself at all. It’s when it progresses that you may begin to notice certain signs: difficulty urinating, more frequent urges, blood in the urine or semen, or pain in the pelvis or bones if the cancer has spread.
Risk factors: The main factor is age – the risk increases markedly after the age of 65. Next come family history (an affected close relative doubles the risk) and certain genetic factors (such as BRCA2 gene mutations).
Prostate cancer treatment worldwide
There are several ways to treat prostate cancer, but their availability really depends on the country you’re in and the quality of its healthcare system.
- Surgery: the prostate is removed. Increasingly, surgeons are using robots such as the Da Vinci system, which enable ultra-precise, less burdensome surgery for the patient. This has become standard practice in developed countries – the United States, Japan, Western Europe – but is much less widespread elsewhere.
- Radiation therapy: cancer cells are bombarded with radiation. This can be done from the outside (external radiotherapy with advanced techniques such as IMRT) or from the inside (brachytherapy, with small radioactive beads implanted in the prostate). But beware: the quality of the machines used varies greatly depending on where you are treated.
- Drug therapies :
- Hormone therapy: aims to block the effect of testosterone, which stimulates cancer growth.
- Chemotherapy and immunotherapy/targeted therapies: These newer and often very expensive treatments (e.g. new anti-androgens, PARP inhibitors) are sometimes subject to marketing approvals and reimbursement policies that differ widely from one country to another.
- Active surveillance: A frequent option for localized, less aggressive cancers. Rather than immediate treatment, it involves regular follow-up (PSA, biopsies). This approach is well established in many European countries, avoiding heavy treatment and preserving quality of life, but requires very rigorous medical follow-up.
- Innovative approaches: Cutting-edge treatments such as proton therapy (ultra-precise radiation), new generations of precision medicine, and clinical trials are mainly concentrated in centers of excellence in the USA, Western Europe and certain Asian metropolises.
Big picture: international comparisons
| Criteria | USA | Europe (West) | Asia (India, Thailand, Turkey – Medical tourism) |
| Average cost of treatment | Very high. Robotic surgery or radiotherapy can cost tens or even hundreds of thousands of dollars. | High, but often controlled by social security systems. Free costs for expatriates vary according to country and insurance. | Competitive / Affordable. Prices 2 to 3 times lower than in Europe or the USA for surgery or radiotherapy (depending on the hospital). |
| Access to technology | Excellent. Fast access to the latest innovations and clinical trials. | Very good. High quality, advanced technologies available, but may depend on national budgets. | Variable. Some private centers are state-of-the-art (Da Vinci technique), others offer more basic standards. |
| Waiting times | Generally short. Access often depends on insurance coverage. | Variable. Short in the private sector, but can be long in the public sector. | Very short in the private sector (the attractiveness of medical tourism is based on speed). |
The gap between a system like that in the USA (expensive and fast) and that in a middle-income country (affordable but with limited technology) is immense. For expatriates, the choice of treatment location is crucial.
Prostate cancer: focus on different countries
The way prostate cancer is treated varies enormously from country to country, depending on their healthcare system and the technologies available.
In the United States, patients have access to all the latest advances: robotic surgery, proton therapy, innovative clinical trials… The downside? The costs are astronomical. For expatriates, good international health insurance is non-negotiable.
In Europe, Germany and France offer well-established protocols. The Germans are renowned for their ultra-precise surgical procedures and short waiting times. In France, active surveillance is often preferred for low-risk cancers – an approach that preserves quality of life as far as possible.
In Asia, Japan relies on innovation while remaining cautious, with real attention paid to post-treatment well-being. In India, you’ll find excellent care in the major cities, but quality varies greatly from region to region. Here too, it’s best to check what your insurance covers.
All this to say that, as an expatriate, it really is essential to find out what treatment is available where you live, and to make sure that your international insurance covers what you might need. This is your guarantee of access to the best possible care and comprehensive medical follow-up, wherever you are.
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International health insurance and prostate cancer
Given the variability and exponential cost of treatment,international health insurance is the cornerstone of medical security for all expatriates.
Why is it essential?
- Covered expenses: Treating cancer is a marathon, not a sprint. Between repeated hospitalizations, surgery, radiotherapy sessions and treatments that cost a fortune, the bill quickly climbs. With a solid international insurance policy, you’re covered for all these expenses while you’re abroad.
- The best care at your fingertips: You’re not stuck with what the local system has to offer. Your insurance gives you access to the best facilities and specialists, even abroad if necessary – for emergency evacuation, repatriation or even seeking the advice of another expert.
- Choice of treatment: It covers innovative treatments and precision medicine, which are not always covered by local systems or the Caisse des Français de l’Étranger (CFE).
Key points to check in your contract: Make sure your policy fully covers hospitalization, surgery (including robotics), radiotherapy/chemotherapy sessions, expensive hormone therapy drugs and access to clinical trials if this is a criterion for you.
Case in point: A French expatriate patient in Mexico diagnosed with mild prostate cancer. Without insurance, he might have to make do with active local monitoring, or face thousands of dollars in fees for a private operation. With his international health insurance, he can choose to undergo state-of-the-art robotic surgery in a hospital in the USA, Europe, or in Mexico City’s best private center, without having to manage the colossal out-of-pocket expenses.
Practical advice for expatriates
- Regular screening: Never neglect screening, even abroad. Talk to a local urologist (or videoconference) about PSA testing and clinical examination (digital rectal exam) if you’re in the at-risk age bracket.
- Choosing the right insurance: Take out international health insurance as early as possible, ideally before any health problems arise, as medical history can limit coverage or increase premiums.
- Identify specialized centers: Before you leave, or as soon as you arrive, identify centers of excellence in oncology/urology. Your international insurer can often provide you with a list of approved centers.
- Telemedicine: Use the telemedicine services often included in insurance contracts. They enable you to be monitored at a distance, get a second medical opinion or have medication prescribed by specialists in your home country, even if you’re on the other side of the world.
Living with cancer abroad
Prostate cancer is a reality for millions of men. While medical advances have considerably improved cure rates, treatment options and costs differ drastically from country to country.
For expatriates, the stakes are twofold: getting regular medical check-ups and ensuring that you have access to the best possible care, regardless of location or complexity.International health insurance is not a luxury, but an essential safety net that guarantees peace of mind and the best possible medical treatment in the event of illness.
Don’t wait until it’s too late: consult a specialist to discuss your screening, and check today that your international health cover is in line with the stakes involved in dealing with a serious illness abroad.
