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PiNK 2019 Winter p.10-p.11<\/strong><\/p>\n If you\u2019ve been affected by cancer, a holiday might be a great way to relax, boost your mood or reflect on what you\u2019ve been through. Many people travel without problems after a breast cancer diagnosis, but a little preparation can help things run more smoothly.<\/p>\n Simple things, like making sure you bring enough of any medication you\u2019re taking to last the whole trip, might seem obvious. But there are a few other things you might need to consider before you head off.<\/p>\n Travel insurance is a must if you\u2019re planning a trip abroad. But getting insurance after you\u2019ve been diagnosed with cancer can sometimes be a headache. Although finding suitable insurance is getting easier, some companies might still be reluctant to insure you, or might charge a higher premium, because you have a \u2018pre-existing medical condition\u2019.<\/p>\n Travel insurance policies vary widely, so the message is: shop around. In an ideal world, it\u2019s best to begin looking for insurance before you plan your trip. And bear in mind that some destinations, like the US, will be more expensive than others. There are specialist insurers who cater for people with cancer. And comparison websites, like comparethemarket.com or moneysupermarket.com, let you search for quotes that cover preexisting medical conditions.<\/p>\n You may be able to find suitable insurance through non-specialist companies. You\u2019ll have to tell them about your cancer when you first apply, and you\u2019ll need to be prepared to answer questions about your cancer, treatment and outlook.<\/p>\n If you\u2019re after specific recommendations from other people who\u2019ve found travel insurance, you could try Breast Cancer Care\u2019s online discussion Forum. The Cancer Research UK website has a list of recommendations.<\/p>\n Protecting your skin from the sun is, of course, important for everyone. But certain breast cancer treatments mean you\u2019ll need to take extra care. Radiotherapy causes the skin in the area treated to become more sensitive to the sun, and this effect is ongoing.<\/p>\n Chemotherapy can also make your skin more sensitive to the sun for as long as the drugs are still affecting your system. If you\u2019re going somewhere hot, don\u2019t forget to pack a high-factor sunscreen \u2013 SPF 30 or higher \u2013 and while you\u2019re in the sun stay covered with light clothing and a hat. It\u2019s best to avoid the sun during the hottest part of the day \u2013 usually from 11am to 3pm.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Air travel is second nature to many of us, but how safe is it to fly during or after treatment? If you\u2019re thinking of travelling during treatment such as chemotherapy, or planning to go away soon after finishing, check with your breast care nurse or specialist about the best time to travel.<\/p>\n Long journeys \u2013 where you\u2019re sitting still for an extended time \u2013 can increase your risk of a deep vein thrombosis or DVT, a blood clot that usually forms in the leg. While anyone is at risk of DVT, the risk is slightly higher for people with breast cancer. This is because of the cancer itself and some treatments. If the cancer has spread to other parts of the body (secondary breast cancer), this also increases the risk.<\/p>\n Drinking plenty of water, avoiding alcohol or sleeping pills during the flight, and walking around as much as possible can help. Your specialist or GP can also give you advice about reducing your risk.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Anyone who\u2019s had surgery or radiotherapy to their lymph nodes is at risk of lymphoedema \u2013 a swelling of the arm, hand, breast or chest area. While some people worry that air travel or cabin pressure might trigger lymphoedema, there\u2019s no evidence that this is the case.<\/p>\n Not using your arm enough can increase your risk, though. So if you\u2019re going on a long flight, you might want to do some gentle exercises, like clenching and unclenching your fists and shrugging your shoulders.<\/p>\n If you\u2019re living with lymphoedema, there\u2019s no reason why you shouldn\u2019t be able to enjoy a holiday, but you might need to take extra care.<\/p>\n If you\u2019ve been fitted for a compression sleeve, wear it during your journey.<\/p>\n If you\u2019re travelling somewhere where mosquitoes or biting insects might be a problem, use insect repellent every day and particularly in the evening. Mosquito bites can become infected. Before you go, you might want to speak to your GP about taking antibiotics with you in case you develop an infection.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Vaccinations might be necessary if you\u2019re travelling to certain destinations, but when is it safe to have them? Vaccines against certain diseases are not recommended while you\u2019re having chemotherapy, or for around six months after. This is because they contain a small amount of live bacteria or virus, which could be dangerous if you have a weakened immune system.<\/p>\n Other vaccines don\u2019t contain live viruses or bacteria and are safe to have, though might be less effective if your immune system is still weakened from treatment. Your GP can give you more information about this.<\/p>\n PiNK 2019 Winter p.10-p.11 Thinking about travelling abroad or planning a holiday? Here\u2019s how to prepare for an enjoyable, worry-free…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":121,"featured_media":31714,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[64],"tags":[694],"class_list":["post-31713","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-pink-article","tag-pink-en-2"],"yoast_head":"\nThinking about travelling abroad or planning a holiday? Here\u2019s how to prepare for an enjoyable, worry-free trip<\/h2>\n
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Get it covered<\/h3>\n
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<\/p>\nHere comes the sun<\/h3>\n
Fly away<\/h3>\n
Lymphoedema and travel<\/h3>\n
Call the shots<\/h3>\n
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