After a melanoma diagnosis, going on holiday can bring a slightly different set of questions.
You may be wondering how soon you can travel after having a melanoma removed, how to plan a trip around immunotherapy or follow-up appointments, or whether a previous melanoma still needs to be declared when arranging travel insurance.
Then there are the everyday parts of being away. Spending time outdoors, protecting your skin, looking after a healing wound or simply fitting a holiday around the appointments already in your diary.
At Lighthouse Travel Insurance, we understand that melanoma can affect people in very different ways. That is why your travel insurance is considered around your individual circumstances rather than the name of your diagnosis alone.
Can you get travel insurance with melanoma?
Travel insurance may be available if you have melanoma, whether your treatment has finished, you are having ongoing follow-up care or you are currently receiving treatment.
When you get a quote, you will complete medical screening. Depending on your circumstances, we may ask about your melanoma diagnosis, treatment, surgery, medication, follow-up care and current health.
For example, someone who has had a melanoma removed and now attends routine skin checks may have very different circumstances from someone receiving immunotherapy or treatment for secondary melanoma.
The screening process will guide you through the questions that apply to you, so you do not need to decide what information is relevant before you begin.
Travelling after melanoma surgery
Surgery is an important part of treatment for many people with melanoma, and the type of procedure you have had can make a difference to your travel plans.
If you have recently had a melanoma removed, speak to your healthcare team about how your wound is healing and whether there is anything you should take into account before going away.
You may want to think about practical things such as:
- Whether dressings or wound care will still be needed while you are away
- Keeping any supplies you need somewhere easy to reach
- Whether swimming or particular activities are suitable during your recovery
- How clothing, heat or long days out could affect the area that is healing
- Whether you have follow-up appointments that need to take place before or soon after your trip
There is no need to rush a holiday just because you are keen to get away. If your medical team is happy for you to travel, choosing dates that give you time to recover can make the trip much more enjoyable.
Travelling After Lymph Node Surgery for Melanoma
Some people with melanoma may also have surgery involving their lymph nodes.
If this applies to you, ask your healthcare team whether your recovery or any ongoing symptoms should affect your travel plans.
Think about the journey as well as the holiday. If carrying luggage, walking long distances through a station or airport, standing for extended periods or getting on and off a ferry could be uncomfortable, arranging assistance or travelling a little more lightly may help.
Travelling during immunotherapy for melanoma
If you are having immunotherapy, a holiday may still be possible depending on your treatment, current health and advice from your healthcare team.
The important thing is to plan the holiday around your treatment rather than trying to make your treatment fit the holiday.
Before booking, check:
- Whether your dates clash with treatment or monitoring appointments
- Whether your medical team wants you to remain nearby at a particular point in your treatment
- What you should do if you develop a new symptom or become unwell while you are away
- Whether you need to take any medication, treatment information or alert cards with you
If your treatment schedule changes after you have booked your holiday, contact Lighthouse before travelling so we can explain whether your insurance needs to be reviewed.
To find out more about travelling during and after immunotherapy, click here.
Enjoying sunny holidays after melanoma
Having had melanoma does not mean that every future holiday needs to avoid sunshine.
It does mean that sun protection is likely to be an important part of your planning.
Follow the advice given by your healthcare team about protecting your skin and make it part of the holiday routine rather than something that takes over the trip.
That might mean packing suitable sun protection before you leave, choosing clothing that helps protect your skin and thinking about when and where you spend longer periods outside.
You may also want to consider the type of holiday you are booking. A beach holiday, city break, cruise or walking holiday can all involve different amounts of time outdoors, so think about what will make it easiest for you to follow the advice you have been given.
A melanoma diagnosis does not have to take the enjoyment out of being somewhere warm. Being prepared can simply make it easier to relax once you arrive.
Planning around skin checks, scans and follow-up appointments
Follow-up can remain part of life for some time after melanoma treatment.
Before booking, check your diary for any dermatology appointments, skin checks, scans or other hospital visits that your healthcare team considers important.
If you are waiting for an investigation or your health or treatment situation changes before your trip, make sure your travel insurance information is still up to date before you go.
It can be useful to deal with these practical details early, so your holiday does not have to revolve around them once you are away.
Travel Insurance for Secondary or Metastatic Melanoma
If melanoma has spread to another part of your body, travel insurance may still be available.
Your circumstances will be considered individually through medical screening. This may include questions about your current treatment, medication, symptoms, appointments and general health.
Living with secondary melanoma can mean treatment is an ongoing part of life, and holidays may need to fit around that. If you are considering a trip, speak to your healthcare team about where you want to go, how long you plan to be away and the type of journey you are considering.
Declaring melanoma on your travel insurance
When completing medical screening, answer the questions accurately based on your medical history and current circumstances.
You may be asked about:
- Your melanoma diagnosis
- Surgery or other treatment you have received
- Treatment you are currently having
- Medication
- Follow-up appointments or monitoring
- Whether your melanoma has spread
- Other medical conditions you have
Do not assume that melanoma no longer needs to be mentioned because it was removed, treatment has finished or some time has passed since your diagnosis.
Providing accurate information allows your circumstances to be assessed properly. If relevant medical information is not declared when required, it could affect your cover and may mean that a related claim cannot be paid.
Why Choose Lighthouse Travel Insurance?
Our policies can offer:
- Up to £10 million emergency medical expenses.
- Up to £10,000 cancellation cover, based on the trip cost per person declared.
- Up to £5,000 cover for your personal belongings, depending on the policy selected.
- 24/7 access to an Emergency Medical Assistance team.
- Cover for UK, European and Worldwide trips, provided you are not travelling against the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office’s (FCDO) travel advice.
- Access to Air Doctor Connect is available on numerous policies, allowing you to connect with over 20,000 doctors in 78 countries. Where non-urgent outpatient treatment is provided through Air Doctor Connect, your policy excess is waived, and you may claim back the cost of prescribed medication when you return home.
Please Note: Any amounts listed above are per insured person on the policy. Cover limits, benefits and exclusions vary between policies. Full details can be found in your policy wording, available in your Customer Area
