Should you travel with cancer?

Cancer is a life-changing diagnosis. But, does that mean changing your travel plans?

Receiving a cancer diagnosis is a life-changing event. There are so many questions to be answered, so many plans to adjust or put on hold in order to accommodate treatment. One of the first questions that people often ask is what to do with travel plans and should a person with cancer, or who is undergoing cancer treatment, travel?

Just as everyone's experience with cancer is unique, so will the answer to that question be unique. It will depend on the type of cancer, its severity and stage, the prognosis, the person's overall health, the therapies received, and the travel that is planned. Answering whether or not a person should travel is a difficult and very personal question.

Unfortunately, cancer therapy is often lengthy, lasting at least three to six months or more, and life goes on. Weddings are planned, funerals happen, children are born, and people graduate. Being there for major life events, or taking a vacation that is on a "bucket list" does not become any less important because cancer has reared its ugly head.

Deciding whether to travel must be made in consultation with a doctor and medical team. When making suggestions, they will consider a variety of factors related to your cancer, treatment and overall health, so discussing any special occasions for which you may need to travel or any travels you have planned ahead of time is critical. Cancer therapies are becoming more flexible and portable, so some travel may be possible if it is planned and treatment is carefully organised.

If you do decide to travel, keep in mind that your immune system will be compromised. You may be more prone to infection, and you will want to minimise germ exposure. This could mean wearing a mask and washing your hands frequently, but it could also include planning your travel to minimise your time in public places or exposure to the public. For example, driving instead of flying. Instead of staying at a hotel, stay with friends and family. Not taking public transit or eating out. Obviously, all of these things you’re avoiding contribute to the enjoyment of travel, and not being able to do them may make the trip less enjoyable for you. Take that into consideration.

Next, consider realistically how you will deal with cancer symptoms and treatment side effects. These symptoms could include nausea, vomiting, discomfort, exhaustion, and a loss of appetite. It can be difficult to manage these in the comfort of your own home, let alone in another city or country. Be realistic about what you'd be able to do on a trip and whether it's worth the effort, and expense, of travelling.

Think through the logistics, particularly access to medical treatment and insurance coverage. Most travel and medical insurance companies consider cancer to be a pre-existing condition and will refuse or charge significantly more for coverage. This may make the trip prohibitively expensive, but if you do not report cancer as a pre-existing illness and require medical care, even for reasons unrelated to cancer, the claim may be denied. In addition to travel insurance, researching medical care in your destination in case you require it can be beneficial.

So, there is no hard and fast rule about whether or not you should travel with cancer. The answer will depend on your unique circumstances, the type of travel you want to do, and what your doctor and medical team feel about your plans. With careful planning and precautions, it may be possible to safely enjoy travel while undergoing cancer treatment or living with cancer. Or, you decide that the time isn’t right and wait until a different time in your treatment. Don't think of it as a 'no'....but a 'not yet' or 'not right now.'