Oncology · Rectal cancer
Rectal cancer: have your treatment plan reviewed in Cuba.
We translate your pelvic MRI, pathology and treatment reports into Spanish and send them to an oncologist in Cuba who treats rectal cancer. We explain the doctor’s opinion in plain language and, if you decide to go ahead, plan treatment and travel with you.
- Preliminary review fee shown during the application
- Specialist opinion · Target: about 4 business days
- Support in English, Spanish, German and Turkish
Who it is for
When can we help?
You have just been diagnosed
Radiotherapy and chemotherapy before surgery have been suggested and you want another specialist’s view.
You are worried about a stoma
You want a second opinion on whether the muscle that controls the bowel (sphincter) can be kept and whether a permanent stoma is needed.
The cancer has come back or spread
You want your whole file looked at again before a new treatment decision.
You are helping a loved one
You can apply on their behalf. Every update comes to you.
What the doctor checks
What does the doctor check first in rectal cancer?
Rectal cancer is planned differently from colon cancer. How close the tumour is to the anus and how far it has grown within the pelvis decide the order of treatment. In your file, the doctor looks closely at these points.
- 01
Position of the tumour
How far the tumour is from the anus and how it relates to the sphincter muscles. This affects how surgery is done.
- 02
Pelvic MRI findings
How far the tumour has grown through the bowel wall, the state of the lymph nodes and its distance from the surrounding tissue.
- 03
Treatment so far
Radiotherapy, chemotherapy and surgery, with dates, doses and how the tumour responded.
- 04
How you are today
Your bowel habits, any stoma, pain, recent blood tests and how you manage daily life.
Documents
Which documents do you need?
Tick what you already have. A missing document does not stop your application; our team will tell you what is still needed.
Your reports can be in any language; we translate them for the doctor. Clear photos and PDF files are both fine.
Apply nowYour ticks are saved on this device only.
Process
From application to the doctor’s opinion in four steps
About 10 minutes
Application and payment
You fill in the form, upload your reports and pay the preliminary review fee.
After payment
Check and translation
We check your documents, translate them into Spanish and prepare one clear file for the doctor.
Target: about 4 business days
Specialist opinion
An oncologist in Cuba reviews your file and may ask for more documents. We keep you updated at every step.
The decision is yours
Decision and planning
We explain the doctor’s opinion. If you want to go ahead, we plan the hospital stay, travel and accommodation with you.
Timings vary with each file and its documents. You can follow every stage in the patient portal.
Rectal cancer in Cuba
What can you expect from the review in Cuba?
Oncologists in Cuba review your file in line with internationally accepted approaches to rectal cancer. In this disease the order of radiotherapy, chemotherapy and surgery matters, so an opinion is most useful before the decision on surgery is made.
Some treatments developed in Cuba are licensed for certain types of cancer. The doctor reviewing your file tells you whether any of them is relevant for you and whether treatment in Cuba suits you.
Written medical opinion
The doctor’s assessment and suggested next step, explained to you in English.
Clear cost information
If treatment is suggested, you receive hospital and treatment costs in writing.
Decide in your own time
Once you have heard the opinion, you decide whether to travel.
FAQ
Questions families often ask
Should I apply before surgery?
If you can, yes, because the order of treatment matters in rectal cancer. If you have already had surgery, you can still apply. Please do not delay planned treatment while you wait for the opinion. Talk to your doctor about the timing.
I have a stoma. Can I travel?
A stoma on its own is often not a reason to avoid travel. The doctor assesses your general condition, and if you decide to travel, we take your supplies and accommodation needs into account when planning.
How much is the preliminary review fee and what does it cover?
The current fee is shown during the application. It covers checking your documents, translating them into Spanish, the review of your file by a specialist in Cuba and explaining the opinion to you. For card payments, the processing fee is shown separately on the payment screen.
Is the fee refunded if the doctor finds treatment unsuitable?
If you withdraw after paying but before your file is sent to the doctor, the fee is refunded. The preliminary review fee pays for the specialist's review of your file, not for acceptance for treatment, so once your file has been sent to the doctor it is not refunded, whether the doctor's opinion is positive or negative. If the doctor asks for more documents during the review, reviewing them is covered by the same fee. To withdraw, simply write to info@cubahealthassist.com with your file number; our finance team will handle your request.
How long does the specialist opinion take?
If your documents are complete, our target for the first specialist review is about 4 business days. If the doctor asks for more documents, it may take longer. We keep you updated at every step.
Can a relative apply for the patient?
Yes, most applications are made by relatives. Contact details are taken from the applicant, and all updates go to the applicant.
My reports are not in Spanish. Do I need a translation?
We take care of the translation. We translate your documents into Spanish and explain the doctor's opinion to you in your language.
Do I have to travel to Cuba?
Your file is first reviewed remotely. Once you have the doctor's opinion, you decide whether to travel. If you cannot come to Cuba, treatment can, in suitable cases, also be carried out in your own country with your own doctor, in coordination with the doctors in Cuba.
Prepared by the Cuba Health Assist medical content team · Last updated: · Editorial and medical content policy
Sources: WHO: colorectal cancer fact sheet; Bahadoer RR et al. RAPIDO trial of short-course radiotherapy and chemotherapy before surgery in locally advanced rectal cancer, Lancet Oncol, 2021 (PubMed 33301740)
Diagnosis and treatment decisions are made by the specialist who reviews your file.
Are your reports ready?
The application takes about 10 minutes. If you would like to ask first, write to us on WhatsApp; we help in English, Spanish, German and Turkish.
This page is for information only. Diagnosis and treatment decisions are made by licensed doctors. Medical disclaimer