If you’re living with cancer, traveling can seem daunting or even impossible. However, with careful planning and some important precautions, you can still enjoy exploring new places and creating beautiful memories. Whether you’re traveling for treatment, leisure, or to visit loved ones, we’re going to cover some essential tips to ensure that your trip is as safe and enjoyable as possible.
- Consult With Your Healthcare Team
Before making any travel plans, it’s crucial to discuss your intentions with your doctor or oncology team. They can assess your health condition, offer specific advice tailored to your needs, and determine whether you’re fit to travel. This is also an opportunity to discuss your itinerary and understand any potential risks or necessary precautions you should take during your trip.
You must consult with your healthcare team – and not just generic online advice. They’re going to understand the unique complexities of your specific type of cancer, as well as your other risk factors and symptoms. For example, if you have mesothelioma, symptoms may include difficulty breathing (which could be made more complicated if you travel to high-altitude areas). Details like this are important for your overall well-being and travel enjoyment.
- Plan Your Trip Thoroughly
Once you have the green light from your healthcare provider, meticulous planning is your next step. Consider choosing destinations that do not require exhaustive physical activity and are not too remote, in case you need quick access to medical facilities.
Plan your travel schedule around your energy levels – allowing for plenty of rest. You have to remember that your body is compromised right now, so you have to give it time to recuperate. Rather than packing three or four activities into a single day, try to plan just one. Then leave the rest of the time open so that you can adjust your level of exertion to your energy levels.
- Arrange for Travel Insurance
Travel insurance is essential for anyone, but it’s particularly critical when you have a pre-existing condition like cancer. Make sure your travel insurance covers medical treatment abroad and possible trip cancellation or interruption due to health issues. Thoroughly review policies and choose one that best suits your medical needs.
- Prepare a Health Kit
Carry a health kit that includes not only your medication but also copies of your prescriptions and a letter from your doctor detailing your condition, treatment regimen, and any other necessary medical information. This can be incredibly helpful if you need to visit a doctor or pharmacy during your travels.
Remember to store medications in their original packaging, clearly labeled, and always in your carry-on luggage. Not only will this help you quickly identify your medication, but it could prevent travel-related issues when going through TSA or customs.
Always keep your medications in their original packaging with clear labels. This not only helps with airport security, but also ensures that you have all the necessary information on hand, such as dosage instructions and expiration dates. If traveling internationally, this can also help local pharmacists or doctors understand your medications, should you need assistance.
- Manage Your Medication
When traveling across time zones, managing your medication schedule can be challenging. Discuss with your doctor how to adjust your medication schedule to accommodate time zone differences. Set reminders on your phone or watch to keep track of when to take your medication to ensure you maintain your routine as closely as possible.
- Stay Hydrated and Healthy
Staying hydrated and eating well are vital, especially when you’re traveling. It’s easy to fall out of regular eating habits when on the road, but try to maintain a balanced diet that supports your health, boosts your energy levels, and strengthens your immune system. Avoid undercooked foods, street foods, and tap water in areas where it’s not safe to drink.
While traveling, listen to your body and respect your limits. If you feel tired, take breaks as needed. The worst thing you can do is wear yourself thin. This is supposed to be a vacation – not a grueling marathon.
Don’t overextend yourself trying to see and do everything. Prioritize your health and enjoyment over a packed itinerary. It’s important to maintain this balance between activity and rest, as it will help you stay healthy and increase your chances of having a good experience.
- Choose the Right Accommodations
Select accommodations that will support your physical needs. For instance, if fatigue is a concern, you might choose a hotel that is centrally located or offers good accessibility to the main attractions (even if it costs a little more than the budget hotels on the edge of town).
Do your research ahead of time and ensure your accommodations have essential amenities, such as air conditioning if you’re sensitive to heat, or a fridge to store medications. (Never automatically assume that these things will be taken care of. It’s best to call ahead and ask questions. Plus, if you let them know that you have health complications, you’d be surprised how often hotels and even Airbnb hosts will work with you to make sure you’re taken care of.)
Plan Your Trip Accordingly
Traveling with cancer can be challenging, but it’s not impossible. Follow the tips highlighted above and always ensure you have a way to communicate with your family and your medical team while away. (While most phone plans work just fine internationally, consider purchasing an international phone plan or a local SIM card to keep in touch. Also, have a list of emergency contacts, including local emergency services numbers and the nearest embassy or consulate.) This might seem excessive, but it’s better to be safe than sorry!
