Fast-Track Cancer Care in China via myMedVia: A Step-by-Step Guide

From “I Have Cancer and I Want Treatment Abroad” to Your First Day of Treatment

The moment you decide to seek cancer treatment abroad, a thousand questions flood your mind. Which hospital? Which doctor? How do I get there? How much will it cost? What if something goes wrong?

This guide answers those questions with a concrete, step-by-step process. We have supported hundreds of international patients through exactly this journey, and we have refined the process over a decade. Here is exactly what happens when you choose fast-track cancer care in China through myMedVia.

Phase 1: Decision & Preparation (Days 1-7)

Step 1: Initial Contact

What happens: You reach out to myMedVia through our website, email, or phone. Within 2 hours, a patient coordinator is assigned to your case.

What you need to provide: – Your diagnosis (cancer type, stage, subtype, histology) – Pathology reports (biopsy, surgery) – Imaging studies (CT, MRI, PET-CT) in DICOM or JPEG format – Blood work and lab results – Prior treatment history (surgeries, chemotherapy, radiation, targeted therapy) – Any medical records in your home language – Your questions and concerns

Tip: Do not wait until you have perfectly organized records. Send what you have. Our team will tell you if anything additional is needed.

Step 2: Medical Record Review

What happens: Your records are forwarded to the international department of one or more partner cancer centers. A multidisciplinary team (MDT) — typically including an oncologist, a surgeon, a radiologist, and a pathologist — reviews your case.

Timeline: 24-48 hours.

What you receive: – A preliminary assessment of whether your case is a good fit for treatment in China – A recommended treatment approach (based on your records) – A shortlist of 2-3 hospitals best matched to your diagnosis – A preliminary cost estimate – An estimated timeline from contact to first treatment

Step 3: Treatment Plan & Cost Estimate

What happens: If you choose to proceed, the selected hospital’s international team prepares a detailed treatment plan and itemized cost estimate. This covers:

Planned treatment protocol (drugs, doses, schedule)Expected duration of initial treatment phaseAll medical costs (consultations, diagnostics, procedures, medications, hospital stay)Optional add-ons (private room, additional support)Timeline: 2-3 days after record review.

What you receive: – A comprehensive treatment plan in English – A transparent cost estimate with no hidden fees – A payment schedule and accepted payment methods

Step 4: Medical Visa

What happens: The hospital issues a medical invitation letter (required for the S2 medical visa). MyMedVia provides guidance on visa application procedures at the Chinese embassy or consulate in your country.

Documents needed for visa application: – Valid passport (minimum 6 months validity) – Completed visa application form – Medical invitation letter from the hospital – Proof of travel (flight booking) – Accommodation information – Recent passport photo – Visa application fee (varies by country, typically $30-140)

Timeline: 3-5 working days for visa processing (expedited options available in some countries).

Tip: Apply for an S2 visa (medical visa) rather than a tourist (L) visa. The S2 visa allows for a longer stay and easier re-entry for follow-up visits.

Phase 2: Travel & Arrival (Days 7-10)

Step 5: Travel Booking

What happens: MyMedVia coordinates with you on your travel arrangements or provides recommendations:

Flight recommendations: – To Guangzhou (CAN) — Direct from most major global hubs including Los Angeles, New York, London, Paris, Dubai, Doha, Istanbul, Singapore, Tokyo, Sydney – To Shanghai (PVG) — Direct from virtually all major international airports – To Beijing (PEK/PKX) — Direct from all major international airports – To Hainan (HAK/SYX) — Typically requires connecting through a major hub

Accommodation options: – Hospital-affiliated apartments: Many international centers offer short-term apartments within hospital grounds or nearby. – Serviced apartments (recommended for longer stays): $40-100 per night with kitchen facilities. – Hotels: $80-250 per night near international hospital districts.

Step 6: Arrival

What happens: A myMedVia coordinator meets you at the airport. They assist with: – Transfer to your accommodation – Orientation (local SIM card, currency exchange, nearby amenities) – Introduction to the hospital’s international department – Scheduling of first appointments

First day at the hospital: – Registration at the international department – Meeting with the international patient coordinator assigned to you – Meeting your attending physician – Completion of new patient paperwork – Scheduling of diagnostics

Phase 3: Diagnostics & Confirmation (Days 10-14)

Step7: Confirmatory Diagnostics

Even if you arrived with outside imaging and pathology, the hospital may need to perform its own tests to confirm staging and treatment planning.

Typical diagnostic schedule:

Step 8: Final Treatment Plan

The MDT reconvenes with all diagnostic results to finalize your treatment plan. This is your opportunity to ask questions:

Why this specific regimen?What are the expected side effects and how are they managed?What is the schedule (dosing days, rest days, total cycles)?How will response be monitored?What happens if this regimen doesn’t work (next-line options)?## Phase 4: Treatment (Day 14+)

Step 9: First Treatment

Chemotherapy/Immunotherapy: – Typically begins within 24-48 hours of the MDT decision – Infusions administered in the day ward or inpatient unit – Pre-medications (anti-emetics, hydration) given before treatment – Observation period after infusion (usually 1-4 hours) – Discharge with oral medications and symptom management plan

Radiation Therapy: – Simulation CT: 1 day – Treatment planning (contouring, dosimetry): 2-3 days – Quality assurance: 1 day – First fraction: Typically within 5-7 days of MDT decision

Surgery: – Pre-operative workup: 1-2 days – Surgery scheduling: 3-7 days after treatment plan confirmed – Hospital stay: 3-10 days depending on procedure – Follow-up care coordination before discharge

CAR-T Therapy: – T-cell collection (apheresis): 1 day – Manufacturing: 24-36 hours to 7-10 days (depending on technology) – Lymphodepletion chemotherapy: 3 days – CAR-T infusion: 1 day – Monitoring for CRS/ICANS: 7-14 days typically

Step 10: Ongoing Treatment & Monitoring

During treatment, your myMedVia coordinator: – Accompanies you to scheduled appointments – Assists with any communication issues between you and the medical team – Monitors your overall well-being and comfort – Coordinates insurance claims if applicable – Helps manage logistics (transportation to and from hospital, meal planning)

Phase 5: Between Treatment Cycles & Return Home

Step 11: Rest Periods

For cancer treatments that involve cycles (chemotherapy every 3 weeks, immunotherapy every 3-4 weeks), you have options during rest periods:

Stay in China: Recommended for initial cycles. Allows seamless care and rapid response to side effects.Return home between cycles: Possible for some regimens. Requires coordination with the hospital for monitoring.### Step 12: Discharge & Follow-up Planning

When your initial treatment phase concludes:

Before you leave: – Comprehensive discharge summary in English – Pathology slides and imaging in digital format – Medication list (brand names, dosages, schedule) – Emergency contact information (24/7 number for the hospital) – Follow-up plan (timing of next imaging, next infusion schedule, next consultation) – Telemedicine setup (if applicable)

After you return home: – We share your medical records with your home doctor – Telemedicine consultations scheduled as needed – Medication supply coordination (if needed) – Ongoing support via phone/email

Treatment Timeline Summary

Total: 2-3 weeks from first contact to first treatment.

Real Patient Story: Maria from London

Maria, a 52-year-old school teacher from London, was diagnosed with stage III serous ovarian cancer in October 2025. The NHS recommended: debulking surgery followed by chemotherapy (carboplatin + paclitaxel).

Her timeline in the NHS:

October 2025: Diagnosis by ultrasound + CA125November: Surgical consult scheduled for January 2026December: Treatment plan finalizedJanuary 2026: CT scan and pre-op assessmentFebruary 2026: SurgeryMarch 2026: Recovery and rehabilitation…Maria’s estimated wait from diagnosis to first treatment: 17 weeks.

“My CA125 was over 1,200. I was in pain. I couldn’t wait four months,” she says.

Through myMedVia, Maria was connected to SYSU Cancer Center in Guangzhou. Her timeline:

December 5: Contacted myMedViaDecember 7: Records reviewed, matched to SYSUCCDecember 9: Treatment plan and cost estimate receivedDecember 10: Visa appliedDecember 14: Visa approvedDecember 16: Flew to GuangzhouDecember 18: Admitted to hospital, PET-CT completed same dayDecember 20: MDT confirmed plan; surgery scheduledDecember 23: Debulking surgery performedDecember 30: Discharged from hospitalJanuary 6: First chemotherapy infusionTotal from first contact to first treatment: 32 days.

“I went from ‘I need treatment’ to being in active treatment in one month. In the UK, I would have waited three more months just for the surgery date.”

What If Something Goes Wrong?

Side effects

Chinese hospitals manage chemotherapy side effects using international standard protocols: – Anti-emetics (NK1 antagonists, 5-HT3 antagonists) – G-CSF for neutropenia prevention – Transfusion support for anemia and thrombocytopenia – Pain management (standard WHO analgesic ladder) – TCM adjunctive therapies (acupuncture for nausea, herbal medicine for immune support) — if desired

Medical emergencies

Hospitals have emergency departments available 24/7. International patient coordinators can be reached after hours for urgent concerns. For life-threatening emergencies, the hospital’s emergency response system is activated.

Travel insurance

MyMedVia strongly recommends travel medical insurance that covers: – Medical evacuation (repatriation) – Emergency treatment for non-cancer conditions – Trip cancellation/interruption

Cost Transparency

We believe in total cost transparency. Here is a representative budget for a 6-week cancer treatment trip:

Compare this to the cost of 6 weeks of cancer treatment in the US, which would be $50,000-150,000 before drugs — without flights or accommodation.

Preparing for Your Trip: Checklist

Documents

[ ] Passport (6+ months validity)[ ] Medical visa (S2)[ ] All medical records (digital and paper copies)[ ] Pathology slides (if possible)[ ] Imaging on CD/USB (DICOM format)[ ] Insurance cards and policy documents[ ] Travel insurance certificate[ ] Emergency contacts### Health

[ ] Dental check-up (recommended before chemotherapy)[ ] Vaccinations up to date (routine + COVID-19 + flu)[ ] Medications for chronic conditions (3-month supply)[ ] Pain management plan[ ] Any known allergies documented in English### Personal

[ ] Phone unlocked for Chinese SIM[ ] VPN installed (for accessing Google, Facebook, WhatsApp, etc.)[ ] Power adaptor (China uses Type A/I, 220V, 50Hz)[ ] Comfortable clothing and walking shoes[ ] Entertainment (books, tablet, headphones)[ ] Small gift for your coordinator (optional but appreciated)## Why Choose Fast-Track Cancer Care in China?

1. Speed: Treatment in 2-3 weeks from first contact vs. 8-30+ weeks in Western public systems.

2. Cost: 50-85% savings compared to US private treatment, 30-50% savings compared to UK private treatment.

3. Access: Therapies and technologies that may not be available in your home country — CAR-T, proton therapy, domestic immunotherapies, clinical trials.

4. Quality: Top-tier cancer centers ranked nationally, JCI-accredited, with internationally trained physicians.

5. Support: Dedicated international patient coordinators, in-person interpretation, single-point continuity.

Is Fast-Track Right for You?

Fast-track cancer care is designed for patients who: – Have received a definitive cancer diagnosis – Face wait times of 4+ weeks or costs they cannot afford at home – Are medically stable enough for air travel – Can commit to 2-8 weeks abroad for treatment – Have a care partner (family member or friend) to accompany them

It is NOT appropriate for patients who: – Have an acute medical emergency requiring immediate intervention (call local emergency services) – Are medically unstable for international travel – Have a cancer that is better treated locally or at a different center of excellence

Your Next Step

The information is free. The evaluation is free. The decision is yours.

Contact myMedVia today:

Submit your medical recordsReceive a hospital recommendation, treatment plan, and cost estimate within 48 hoursCompare with your local optionsMake an informed decisionReady to get started? From your first consultation to recovery back home, myMedVia is with you every step of the way. Contact our patient coordinator →

Fast · Affordable · Certain