When traveling with cancer, you should be very careful.
That’s because:
- You face a higher infection risk if you travel while receiving chemotherapy. This is the reason why some doctors recommend that cancer patients avoid traveling when receiving chemotherapy.
- Air pressure and oxygen level changes at higher altitudes are dangerous for cancer patients. In fact, this is the reason why patients should avoid air travel 10 days after undergoing a surgical operation. Air travel is also associated with the risk of extreme swelling after lymph nodes removal.
- Extended trips put cancer patients at the risk of blood clots. This can be life-threatening especially when the patient sits still for extended periods.
- Cancer treatments lead to fatigue that tend to be severe in some patients. This limits the ability of an individual to travel.
Nevertheless, there are cases when a patient has no option but travel. Here is a guide for traveling with cancer that may make your trip safer.
Talk to Your Doctor First
It’s important that you talk to your doctor about your intention to travel. That way, you will know whether it’s really safe to travel .Your doctor will also share the necessary precautionary measures with you. They will also guide you on the right thing to do in case you feel ill when traveling. If necessary, the doctor will provide medication and advise you accordingly.
Conduct Extensive Research of Your Destination
Find out whether your destination has properly equipped cancer treatment facilities. This will enable you to know where to receive appropriate cancer treatments like radiation therapy and chemotherapy.
Protect Your Skin
Radiation therapy and chemotherapy make the skins of cancer patients sensitive and vulnerable to sun damage. Sun damage effect can be permanent or temporary. It’s therefore important that you take appropriate measures towards protecting your skin against sun damage. For instance, wear sunscreen and hats while traveling outside.
Take Care of Your Medications
Take special care of your prescription medications. Basically, carry your medications in the carry-on bag. Also carry a note from your doctor explaining the necessity of special supplies such as injection needles and syringes. It’s also important that you carry a prescriptions’ copy and contact information of your doctor just in case you lose your medications.
Get Travel Health Insurance
Traveling with cancer doesn’t mean you can’t have insurance because you have pre-existing condition. It’s possible to get coverage for your trips including your right to reschedule or cancel the trip, interrupt it, or seek medical assistance when traveling. Simply talk to insurance providers to know your options and make a wise decision.
Follow these tips when traveling with cancer and you will have a safe and successful trip. Feel free to check out one of my favorite traveling booking sites by clicking here.