Cancer Research UK main site

Travelling with cancer?

Lizworld1971
Offline

My mum has just been diagnosed and is pre treatment just on anti clotting daily injections for clots on her lungs that may or may not be related to the cancer ( diagnoses was only this week)

We have a family holiday booked for the Canaries on the 14th Aug for 2 weeks.

My mum has no symptons as of yet and the cancer was only picked up as she was short of breathe at the end of June and was treated for a chest infection after being admitted to hospital and a CT scan was given.

if I can get her the right travel insurance can she travel? I have a policy at the moment and they are just awaiting to hear on what type of treatment is planned before they can set the premium. (We should no on Monday )

The holiday was planned over a year ago and as my mum has suffered with depression for several years we feel that if she does not travel then the impact on her wellbeing will be so huge and she so needs to be mentally well to start the journey of treatment and hopefully cure.

 

any advice would be greatly appreciated

thank you

  • Offline

    I'm not an expert at this, but the only reasonable way to get to the Canaries is by flying, and that might not be wise, due to the reduced air pressure in the aircraft, and the possibiity of cross infection from other travellers in the crowded conditions of a typical charter flight.  

    So I wouldn't travel unless advised by a competent doctor that it's safe to do so. 

    If it's not safe to travel, then if you have already got travel insurance you should be able to claim the money back for all parties, and find a suitable spot in the UK for a holiday. 

  • Offline

    Hi, I'm so sorry about your mums health problem. I know exactly how you feel. I had to cancel my holiday the day before I was due to fly, it's so disappointing, my case was packed. To be honest I would not have enjoyed it as I would have been worried sick the whole time I was away. I had to go for lots of tests before any treatment took place and all this would have been delayed. Also a lot of firms won't insure you at that stage of diagnosis, they want to know loads of information which I couldn't give them at that time. Two years previously, I had a lung problem and again had to cancel a holiday (I seem to be allergic to holidays) lol. My consultant said I couldn't fly as the pressure in the cabin would not be good for me. I did get part of my holiday  refunded this time as I had insurance, but didn't with the holiday this year as I was still under investigation and didn't know what was wrong with me and really had to wait to let insurance companies know. I believe from what I've read it is very expensive to get holiday insurance now that you have a diagnosis of cancer.. I hope your mum can cope with this, it's not a nice situation to be in. I'm just looking forward to next year now and hopefully will get a wee holiday then.

  • Offline in reply to scones

    Thanks for your reply’s everyone.

    its all very raw and unreal and especially that mum has no symptons that she can feel, see etc...

    its a totall bolt out of the blue?!

    we will see what the professionals say after their meeting on Monday and then see what the insurance say..

    i will come back to the forum with any updates x

  • Offline

    Be wary that they don't excude her cancer from any cover they quote you for. 
    Get two or three quotes insurancewith.com and essentialtravel.com are usually competitive. 
    All travel insurance companies will ask whether your doctor has approved of the trip - so it is worth getting that in writing before you go.

    Good luck
    Dave

     

  • Offline in reply to davek

    Thank you Dave

    im going to try my very hardest to get my mum on this family holiday so all tips are greatly appreciated 

    xx

Speak to a nurse

Quick links

Follow us

Registered with Fundraising Regulator (logo)
Cancer Research UK is a registered charity in England and Wales (1089464), Scotland (SC041666), the Isle of Man (1103) and Jersey (247). A company limited by guarantee. Registered company in England and Wales (4325234) and the Isle of Man (5713F). Registered address: 2 Redman Place, London, E20 1JQ.