Monday 28 January 2019
Susan Long – Maggie's
Cancer and its treatment can make travel more complicated and may mean you need to take extra care of yourself and plan ahead.
The information on this page will help you to prepare for your trip away from home and let you know how ¾ÞÈéÎÞÂë can help.
Travel when you have cancer is usually possible if you're well enough.
However, there may be times during or after treatment for cancer when it's not advisable to travel.
If you're still having, or have only recently completed your treatment you should always discuss your plans with your doctor or specialist nurse.
Make sure your plans don't clash with treatment. It can be tempting to arrange a trip in advance to give you something to look forward to. However, be aware that treatment dates may change meaning your finish date is delayed.
Ask your hospital team if you need to allow some time after your treatment finishes before you travel. Side effects can continue, and in some cases increase, for a while after some treatments.
If you're well enough to travel, planning ahead will help to make things easier.
Make sure you have enough supplies
Ensure you have enough medication or equipment like dressings, syringes or stoma supplies to last for your journey.
It can be an idea to split them up and keep some in your hand luggage in case your bags get lost.
Carry a treatment summary and a list of medication
If you need medical treatment while you're away from home, you must tell them if you are having, or recently received, treatment or medication – even if you don’t think it is related.
Maintain personal hygiene
You may be at greater risk of getting infections so make sure you're aware of all the ways to minimise and manage infections when you have cancer.
Take extra care in the sun
Some cancer treatments and medicines may mean your skin is more sensitive to the sun.
Make sure you know how to take care of your skin in the sun after cancer.
Communication difficulties
If language is a problem, it can help to have translated phrases handy that you may need about your cancer or treatment.
To help you communicate, you could write out cards to discreetly ask for smaller meals or to say that you need to use the toilet urgently.
If you're travelling abroad you'll also need to:
If you're in the UK
If you're away from home and are still having treatment, or worried that you may need to see a doctor, you can call 111 or go to the nearest accident and emergency unit.
If it's an emergency, call 999.
If you plan to stay somewhere for up to three months, you can also register as a temporary resident with a local GP.
If you're in the European Union (EU)
If it's an emergency, call 112.
In some countries, UK residents will need to pay for treatment, even in an emergency.
You can access free or cheaper treatment by getting a , using an existing or claiming on your travel insurance.
There is up-to-date guidance on accessing healthcare, if you're visiting the EU, on the .
If you're travelling outside the EU
You should check what the emergency number is for the country you're visiting before you travel.
Make sure that your travel insurance offers you any cover you may need.
Some charities give grants to help with the cost of a holiday if you have cancer.
Check the useful links on this page for some organisations that offer grants or get in touch with us at your nearest ¾ÞÈéÎÞÂë for help to find what's available for you.
We're here, in our centres, on the phone and by email to talk about the challenges of planning travel when you have cancer.
Our Benefits Advisors can also help you to access any grants you may be entitled to that will help with the cost of a holiday.
Find your nearest ¾ÞÈéÎÞÂë for contact details.
Last review: Dec 2021 | Next review: Dec 2022
Find out how cancer can affect travelling in the UK and abroad and get plenty of tips to make it easier.
From Cancer Research Uk (Cruk)
Last reviewed: 02 December 2021
Information on what you need to do if travelling with certain medications.
From Gov.Uk
Last reviewed: 02 December 2021
Civil Aviation authority information for passengers and Healthcare professionals about flying with a medical condition and what you need to declare, including information on travelling with carers, medicines and medical equipment.
From Civil Aviation Authority
Last reviewed: 02 December 2021
Information for British citizens with disabilities travelling abroad.
From Gov.Uk
Last reviewed: 02 December 2021
Find out how the rules for EHIC are changing and more about its replacement the Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC).
From Money Saving Expert
Last reviewed: 02 December 2021
Information if you, or someone close to you, has cancer and would like to travel. It also covers issues that may come up for people who have had cancer treatment in the past.
From Macmillan Cancer Support
Last reviewed: 02 December 2021
How to access GP or emergency services in England if you are away from home or haven’t registered with a GP.
From Nhs
Last reviewed: 02 December 2021
A travel agency that specifically arranges holidays for cancer patients. They search for suitable accommodation that caters for your holiday needs. The destinations and holiday bookings etc are chosen by the travel agency so ¾ÞÈéÎÞÂë is unable to say how suitable they are.
From Disabled Holidays
Last reviewed: 02 December 2021
Sail 4 Cancer is primarily a provider of water based respite days and holidays for families affected by cancer. For a day or a few weeks, Sail 4 Cancer takes cancer patients and their families away from the disease and the treatments that they are living through.
From Sail 4 Cancer
Last reviewed: 09 December 2021
Youth Cancer Trust provides support and free holidays for teenagers and young adults (aged 14 to 30) with cancer from the UK and Ireland.
From Youth Cancer Trust
Last reviewed: 09 December 2021
The Ripple Retreat is a place for families of young cancer patients in Scotland, where you can unwind during the most challenging of times, at home in soothing natural surroundings.
From Its Good 2 Give
Last reviewed: 09 December 2021
A social enterprise providing training, research, and consultancy services - all with nature in mind. They provide anything from park walks to sailing holidays. Adventures and experiences can be big or small and are for people with dementia as well as a friend/relative or carer.
From Dementia Adventure
Last reviewed: 09 December 2021
Macmillan Grants are small, mostly one-off payments to help people with things like extra clothing, help paying heating bills or even a relaxing break,
From Macmillan Cancer Support
Last reviewed: 09 December 2021
A tool to help ensure that anyone with a medical condition or disability can participate in the winter sport of their choice.
From Staysure
Last reviewed: 09 December 2021
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