Even though you have had cancer, you can still travel abroad. You will just have to plan a bit more carefully.
It is a good idea to talk to your doctor or nurse before you book a holiday, because there might be things you need to think about. For example, if you have had radiotherapy or certain medicines, your skin might be more sensitive to the sun. This means it is even more important to protect your skin from the sun.
Can I travel abroad?
Yes, although if you have had a stem cell or bone marrow transplant you may need to be selective about which countries you go to. This is because you need to have vaccinations before visiting some countries and there are certain live vaccines that you might not be able to have. North Western Europe, the Northern Mediterranean, North America or Australasia are all acceptable places, after a transplant. If you want to visit other countries you should seek advice.
You should also think carefully about going to a country where there is malaria. Malaria can be very dangerous if you have had:
- your spleen removed
- high-dose treatment with stem cell support and total body irradiation.
Anyone visiting a country where there is malaria is advised to take full malaria precautions. Your doctor can give you advice about this. There are also specialist travel clinics that give health advice to travellers.
If you are taking medicines abroad, especially if you are taking needles and syringes, a letter from your doctor will be required explaining what they are for. This can reduce the problems at customs and airports.
Will I be able to get travel insurance?
You will be able to get insurance but the premium may be higher. There are some companies that specialise in offering insurance to people who have a medical condition. It is worth shopping around for the best policy. It is important to be honest even though your treatment may have been years ago. If you did become unwell while on holiday and you had not declared your past illness you may find your insurance will not cover you. Your medical team may be able to advise.
Can I have travel vaccinations?
This depends on the treatment you had. If you had a stem cell or bone marrow transplant you will need to be more cautious so discuss this with your doctor. Non-live vaccines, like hepatitis A, cholera, rabies and certain typhoid vaccines are safe and should be used as indicated. There are some vaccines that you cannot have after a transplant. These tend to be live vaccines such as yellow fever, live oral polio and typhoid.
If you visit an area where malaria is endemic then you are advised to take full anti-malarial precautions. For those who have had their spleen removed or had a transplant and total body irradiation, malaria is particularly dangerous. Careful thought should be given before travelling to an area where there is malaria.