Holidays and flying while having chemo

Hi 

I haven't had chemotherapy so don't have any experience to draw on for whether it's okay to go on a foreign holiday while having chemo. The best people to ask would be your CNS or consultant.

You will need to make sure that your records are annotated that your consultant has given you permission to go on holiday otherwise, if you have to make a claim, your travel insurance company might refuse to pay out.

You might get some further help from the members in the womb cancer group which I see you're a member of or you could post your question in ask a nurse and one of the specialist nurses will aim to respond within 2 working days.

I hope you're able to go and have a lovely holiday.

x

Hi, I flew to the UK for a wedding (I live in Jersey) during chemo treatment. I took an extra week between treatments so that the side effects had eased. The biggest danger is from infection as your immune system is attacked by the chemo, and as a result your white blood cells may be low. I used a mask on the plane, and washed my hands constantly. I also found the nearest hospital & checked the route to it. Travel insurance can be difficult but there is help on this site regarding that. 

As you haven’t yet had any chemo, you don’t know how you’ll react to treatment. I think you’d be best to wait til you’ve had your first round & see how you feel. Talk to your oncologist too. Good luck with your treatment. 

Good advice, thank you  x

Hi, I am having adjuvant chemo for bowel cancer. At the start of my chemo in April, I advised my onchologist that I had a 2 week transatlantic cruise booked to go with my family. He said he could tailor the chemo to allow for this but would not be happy for me to have any chemo (even tablet form) whilst travelling and also that, should I decide I wanted to cancel the trip for any reason he would provide all documentation so that I could claim on travel insurance. We agreed that I should have the first cycle of chemo and then have a 2 week break before my trip and commence again on my return. This worked out fine, I had a lovely holiday without any problems whatsoever and felt fitter than I had for a long time. I have just now completed the 2nd cycle and will start the 3rd cycle on Friday. 

Discuss it with the onchologist and they will probably sort out a plan for you.

Thanks Maggiel,

That's helpful, to know that putting off a chemo cycle for a week or two seems quite ok to do.

My holiday is due the week of my last due cycle so I will ask if they can put it off a week.

Hope all is going well with you and you feel ok through your last cycle x