dical tourists also have greater access to different treatment types than those who choose not to travel. Stem cell-based therapies are the most common treatments that are not available to Americans, often because of restrictive government regulations. Most stem cell therapies are frauds, both within the US and without, however there are several legitimate programs that offer a high-tech alternative to painful or dangerous therapies. Two major programs are the use of adult stem cells to repair damaged heart tissue in Bangkok and the use of undifferentiated immune cells to create personalized cancer therapies in Singapore, both of which have considerable academic and government support and strong track records.
Another factor is not only the availability of cutting edge treatments but also the availability of common surgeries. In state-run health programs like those in Canada or the UK, waiting lists can extend to more than a year for essential surgery and past three for non-essential surgery. With a well-planned tour, most surgeries can be conducted within days of landing and consultation in any of the medical tourism hubs. If payment for the treatment is covered by the state program, as most medically essential operations are, medical tourism is the obvious choice for Canadians and Britons.