Travel and cancer
Having a weekend away or a holiday to look forward to when you are affected by cancer is an important focus for some people. It can improve how you are feeling and give you something to aim for.
We want to support you if you are hoping to go on holiday by providing advice and guidance on the important things to consider before you plan your trip:
Whether it is safe/appropriate for you to travel, vaccinations and taking medications abroad.
Information about travel insurance companies that will be able to advise you and provide reasonably priced cover. Some insurance companies will ask for a letter to confirm that you are fit to travel.
Grants or charities that may be able to help you with the cost or venue for your experience.
It may be helpful for you to have a letter to take away with you which summarises your diagnosis and treatment in case you need healthcare while you are away. This can be provided by your hospital healthcare team or your GP.
General ‘Travel with Cancer’ Advice | Financial & Charity Support for Days Out/breaks away | Travel Insurance
General ‘Travel with Cancer’ Advice
Please click on the links below for handy advice.
Cancer Research UK Travelling with cancer - includes details on vaccinations, taking medicines with you, how cancer might affect your travel, travel tips and travel insurance.
Macmillan Travel and cancer - includes details about planning a trip, taking medicines abroad, healthcare abroad and travel insurance.
Macmillan online community - provides an opportunity to chat to other people about travel.
Cancernet UK Travelling and cancer - an online resource for individuals living with or after cancer, providing effective, unbiased, evidence-based guidance from professionals including travel advice.
Financial & Charity Support for Days Out/breaks away
Odyssey - provides courses (mainly outdoors) for people with cancer. Odyssey helps patients rebuild their confidence and self-esteem, engage with exercise, and take back control of their lives.
Something to look forward to - aims to promote the well-being, relieve the stress and aid the recuperation of those who are experiencing the effects of cancer and its treatment, together with their families. In particular by the provision of positive individual and/or family experiences.
Willow Foundation - provides Special Days for seriously ill young adults. The Special Day provides an uplifting and positive experience to be shared with a partner, parents, siblings, children or close friends.
Youth Cancer Trust - provides free, activity based holidays for young people aged 14 to 30 living with cancer. Holidays are also available if you have been in remission for up to 5 years or are living with the late effects of having had cancer as a teenager.
See also Macmillan - Grants and also Macmillan - Financial support for financial aid.
Travel Insurance
The following Insurance companies and other organisations have been recommended to us by other cancer patients.
However, it is the responsibility of every person to satisfy themselves that they are confident in the insurance company/organisation that they contact and that they are fully aware of any risks or contract clauses that may prevent or restrict them getting travel insurance and/or obtaining cancer treatment abroad. The policies of travel insurance companies vary a lot, some offer more suitable cover than others. It is recommended that you shop around and check your policy document carefully.
AllClear Insurance
An insurance specialist for anyone with medical conditions.
Website: www.allcleartravel.co.uk
Tel: 0800 077 777
British insurance brokers association consumer helpline
The UKs leading general insurance intermediary organisation representing the interests of insurance brokers, intermediaries and their customers.
Website: About BIBA - BIBA
Tel: 0370 950 1790
Email: enquires@biba.org.uk
Cancer Research UK
Website: Cancer Research UK - Travel Insurance
Free Spirit Travel Insurance
Insurance specifically created for people being refused cover elsewhere due to health, disability or age.
Website: Free Spirit Travel Insurance - For Any Age or Medical Condition
Tel: 02392 419080
Email: contact@freespirittravelinsurance.com
InsureCancer
Specialises in providing travel insurance to those with advanced, metastatic, relapsed or terminal Cancer.
Website: www.insurecancer.com
Tel: 01252 780190
Email: enquiries@InsureCancer.com
InsuranceWith
InsuranceWith was created to help people with all kinds of health conditions including cancer.
Website: Insurancewith - Award Winning Travel Insurance Specialist
Tel: 0333 999 2679
It’s So Easy Travel Insurance
Specialist travel insurance for pre-existing medical conditions.
Website: www.itssoeasytravelinsurance.com
Tel: 0330 606 1434
MIA Insurance
Specialist medical travel insurance provider
Website: www.miatravelinsurance.co.uk
Tel: 0800 999 3333
Email: info@miaonline.co.uk
World First
Worldwide travel insurance, including cover for over 65s and pre-existing medical conditions.
Website: www.world-first.co.uk
Tel: 0345 908 0161
Email: info@world-first.co.uk