CancerTalk week runs from the 21st to the 25th January 2010. As the name suggests, this week focuses on talking about cancer, and dispelling some of the myths associated with it. For example, Macmillan Cancer Support (link) provides free teaching packs to help teachers talk about cancer with their pupils. For more information visit the Cancertalk website.
The week will highlight how important it is to talk about cancer and understand it, trying to carry on living life as normally as possible – and this includes things like going on family holidays. So we just wanted to share some useful information with you to help with those essential special arrangements you may need when travelling with cancer.
Listed below is some information from Cancer Research UK and the ‘Health Advice for Travellers’ booklet highlighting some of the practical issues you might need to think about before you go on holiday. For more information, check out the AllClear 4 you cancer page.
Now it is clear that going on holiday is a good way to relax and escape from reality for a while. Indeed, you may want to plan a holiday for the end of your treatment, or that of a loved one – planning can be a huge help here. The treatment and management of cancer is a very individual thing, and two people with the same type of cancer may have very different treatments and needs. Planning will help things go smoothly so that you can relax and enjoy your trip.
Talk to a Medical Professional: The most important thing is to talk to your medical professionals – they may be able to suggest a good time to go, as well as helping to decide what is realistic for you. They can let you know if you are fit to travel.
Destination Decisions: For example, if you tire easily and can’t walk long distances, check that the facilities you need are close to where you are staying. You may also need to consider being at more risk of getting an infection or being more sensitive to the sun, from either radiotherapy or some cancer drugs
Travel Insurance: You will also need to arrange specialist travel insurance. It is vital to have travel insurance because you may have to be brought home, or have medical treatment abroad, if you do become ill. This can cost a lot of money but your travel insurance will give you peace of mind.
Having cancer will make it more difficult to get insurance. Many companies may refuse your insurance if they think the likelihood of you having to make a claim is too great.
Finding appropriate travel insurance is far easier if you use a specialist insurance company like AllClear who can normally cover your cancer. AllClear can provide annual (multi-trip), or single trip, cancer travel insurance to worldwide destinations.
Make sure that you read your policy carefully and check your insurance cover INCLUDES your cancer. Many companies will only insure you for treatment or emergencies unrelated to your cancer, meaning that you get basic travel insurance, but if you need treatment as a result of the cancer, you will have to pay for it yourself. You will need a travel insurance policy that says in advance that the company will fully cover you.
In addition to your health insurance, if you are travelling to a country within Europe, you should always carry a European Health Insurance Card (EHIC). You can apply for a card online.
Vaccinations: To visit some countries you will need vaccinations, but if you are having certain cancer drugs or have a weakened immune system, you may not be able to have the required vaccinations so it is vital that you check with your doctor. Look at this vaccination page for more info.
Medication: If you are taking any medicines, you should plan how much you need to take with you and get those prescriptions before you go (make sure you have an extra supply in case you lose any). If you need oxygen, you will need to make arrangements for a supply where you are staying. Please see this page on Cancer Research UK website for how to organise having oxygen on holiday.
Looking back over this list, it does seem that there is a lot to think about, but we really hope this blog can help in organising your holiday, to help you benefit from a relaxing, well planned break. If any one has any other useful hints or tips that they could give us to add to this blog post, we would be really grateful.
Tags: AllClear, pre-existing medical conditions, Travel Insurance, travel vaccinations, Travelling with Cancer