Traveling With Cancer

Holiday Survival for Survivors, Part 3: Traveling With Cancer

The holidays can be a stressful time if you’re dealing with a breast cancer diagnosis or treatment, and in this series of posts, we offer thoughts about how to help prevent and manage that stress. In part one, we shared advice from survivors speaking from their own experiences. In part two, we discussed ideas for navigating get-togethers with friends and family. Here, we present issues related to holiday travel.

If you’re planning to brave the bustling airports and busy highways this holiday season, remember not to let self-care get lost in the shuffle. Though it may be difficult to stay focused on your health amidst the planning and preparations for a family visit or a winter vacation, it’s more important than ever given the inherent mental and physical stresses of traveling.

Be sure to allow yourself adequate time and mental space to prepare for a trip, both to avoid exhaustion and to allow for the extra precautions that traveling with cancer can entail. One of the most important extra steps is talking with your doctor about any potential limitations and concerns. This is particularly true if you’re planning on flying: there are some medical reasons to avoid air travel, so you should discuss the specifics of your situation with your doctor well in advance. In addition, all airlines have different restrictions for passengers with health risks, so you’ll want to make sure you follow whatever guidelines your airline has to avoid unexpected snafus. This could entail filling out forms, getting a letter from your doctor, or even getting clearance from the airline’s own medical team.

Whether you’re flying or not, bring written documentation about your condition and treatment, including a letter from your doctor and a detailed list of medications and dosages. Contact information for your medical team and extra prescriptions (should your medication get lost) are important to bring along, too. Keep all this information, as well as your medications themselves, with you and easily accessible during travel—not in the trunk of the car or in a checked suitcase.

Check with your insurance company in advance of your travels as well. You’ll want to identify providers and hospitals that are in-network or otherwise covered, just in case you need to see a doctor while you’re away. It is also worth considering travel insurance, which can cover everything from trip cancellations to emergency medical expenses. But do your homework! While some plans have special coverage for travelers with pre-existing medical conditions, others exclude such travelers altogether. If you’re traveling abroad, there may be other logistics to consider as well.

In addition to planning for your medical safety, plan for your comfort as well. For long plane, train, or car rides this may mean dressing in layers and staying well hydrated, as well as bringing any medicines you anticipate needing for motion sickness, diarrhea, or other common traveler’s ailments. To avoid fatigue and conserve your energy for the activities that matter most, make use of assistive transport such as wheelchair services at train stations and airports. Also, consider what special accommodations could make life easier while you’re traveling: for example, let your hotel know in advance if you want a first-floor room or a room close to the elevator, ask for help managing heavy luggage, and notify car rental companies and cruise lines of any specific considerations before you book.

While you’re away, don’t lose sight of the importance of the basics: getting ample rest, eating well, and listening to your body. This includes being attentive to any symptoms that you experience and making use of those medical contacts, if need be. With advanced planning, you’ll have the peace of mind to focus on what really matters when you’re traveling for the holidays: enjoying yourself and coming home rejuvenated for the new year.