Tips for Traveling With Cancer
Written By: Katie Blais
At What I Wish I Knew, we understand that cancer can complicate your plans. From your hobbies to your career, cancer can make everyday tasks look a little bit different. Traveling with cancer is no different. While some may believe that travel plans need to be put on pause during a cancer journey, there are still many ways to make your adventures come to fruition. Let’s explore a few!
Get Your Doctor’s Approval
One of the most important first steps to traveling with cancer is to make sure your cancer care team is aware of your travel plans. Your doctors will be able to assess the potential risks associated with your travel plans to ensure you remain safe and prepared. Going over potential restrictions, accommodations, and medications with your doctors is a necessary step to help make your trip run smoothly.
Access Your Medical Records
When traveling with cancer, it is important to have a copy of your medical history with you in case of an emergency. If you need to seek care during your trip, a new facility will need access to your records to understand how to best treat you. You can bring a printed or digital copy with you.
Know Your Medications
Make sure to familiarize yourself with your medications before you embark on your trip. It’s always a good idea to bring more than you think you may need, so you never have to worry about running out. Packing your medications in your carry-on bag is also helpful to ensure they never get lost.
Do Your Research
Like any trip, it’s important to do your research before take off. Here are a few important questions to consider when researching your destination…
If traveling abroad, will you need any vaccines? Click here to see the vaccines needed for each country, according to the CDC.
Are there healthcare facilities close to your destination in case of an emergency? It is also important to know what your insurance will cover if an emergency does occur. Click here to explore an in-depth guide for navigating travel insurance for cancer patients from Triage Cancer.
If you are using a wheelchair, are there accessible hotels available?
Utilize Airport Accommodations
Airports can be stressful for everyone. If you’re traveling with cancer, navigating an airport can create some additional factors to consider. Let’s review a few common accommodations, so when your travel day rolls around, you feel prepared.
Ask yourself these questions to better assess your needs…
Will you need a wheelchair in the airport?
Do you need help boarding and de-boarding the aircraft?
Are you flying with medications that need to be stored at a specific temperature?
Are you familiar with your airline's policies on medications like oxygen or liquid medications?
Do you have a port or a catheter?
Don’t let these questions deter you from traveling. While traveling with cancer may create a few additional steps, it is still entirely possible. It’s just important that you feel safe, comfortable, and prepared.
To better understand airport-specific guidelines, click here for an in-depth guide from TSA Cares about disabilities and medical conditions.
Travel With a Companion
If you can, traveling with a friend or family member can help make your trip run more smoothly (plus it’s always more fun). Having a trusted companion with you that understands your specific needs can help you feel calm and more at ease. Traveling with cancer is a big milestone - let the people in your life share that milestone with you!
Don’t be Afraid to Ask for Help
Asking for help is never a sign of weakness. It is important to know that help exists for cancer patients, survivors, and their families, even when it comes to going on adventures. Here are some specific organizations that help fund vacations for people impacted by cancer:
For Pete’s Sake Cancer Respite Foundation: For Pete's Sake is a non-profit that helps adult cancer patients, their caregivers, and loved ones by creating unforgettable and lasting respite experiences, according to their website.
Waves of Grace: Waves of Grace is a nonprofit that provides beach vacations for cancer patients and their families.
Living Beauty Cancer Foundation: Living Beauty Cancer Foundation is a non-profit that specializes in wellness retreats for women living with cancer.
Send It Foundation: The Send It Foundation is an organization that creates outdoor adventures for young adults at any stage of their cancer journey.
With a little extra planning, traveling with cancer is possible. If you’re interested in learning more about adventures with cancer, make sure to listen to our episode with the Send It Foundation, where we discuss how the outdoors can truly heal. You can listen to it here.